News about Tyler Zeller concussing Al Horford won’t help his case for fans on the fence about the $8 mil backup center

Al Horford suffered what was previously a quite mysterious concussion in what feels like an eternity ago. Reports surfaced prior to a home game against Chicago on November 2nd that the newly acquired All-Star center had a head injury during practice on October 31st. Since that time Horford has missed 8 games and the Celtics have a 4-4 record to show for it.

During a radio interview with Toucher and Rich, Danny Ainge revealed how Horford endured the injury:

Like you could imagine, Celtics nation did not appreciate Tyler Zeller’s involvement.

There’s no getting around that Zeller has been painful to watch at times this season. In the 4 games he started at center in Horford’s absence he averaged 8.5 points and 5.25 rebounds before being replaced by Olynyk. The rebounding numbers have been notably disappointing considering the difficulties the team has had in that category in 2016.

There is little doubt that Zeller has failed to break out in what seemed to be a great opportunity. Many fans will hold that against him, but to be the “culprit” of the injury that has benched the franchise center for nearly a month is not a good look.

With all that said, we can’t really blame Zeller for what was obviously an accident. But it does add some salt to the wound for his below average play thus far. Horford is a game time decision for tonight’s contest against the Golden State Warriors.

Side note: Ainge must have very little love left for the guy to throw him under the bus like that.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas USA TODAY Sports

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