Pistons' Meeks might be out 6-8 weeks with foot fracture

Auburn Hills — Pistons reserve guard Jodie Meeks can't seem to catch a break.

To make things worse, now he has a fracture.

After leaving in the first half of Wednesday night's win against the Utah Jazz with a severe limp, Meeks was examined and X-rays showed that he has a Jones fracture -- a break near the base of the pinky toe -- in his right foot.

"We'll get further assessment and know better on a timetable in the next couple of days," coach Stan Van Gundy said after the game.

Although all injuries are different, Jones fractures typically involve having a screw inserted into the foot to stabilize it and usually entail six to eight weeks of recovery.

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It's the same injury that Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant suffered at the beginning of last season and former Pistons big man Rasheed Wallace had at the end of his career.

Meeks missed almost two months early last season after suffering a back injury during the preseason; this is another unfortunate setback.

"You feel bad for the guy," Van Gundy said. "Last year, it’s the first exhibition game and he goes out for six or eight weeks and now he comes back in great shape, coming off a really good last preseason game and gets a fracture tonight.

"He’s sort of snake-bit and I feel bad for him."

While Meeks is out, Van Gundy could use defensive specialist Reggie Bullock, who had a standout training camp and preseason and got his first game action in the second half Wednesday night. Rookie Stanley Johnson also could play some shooting guard to help relieve starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

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