Latest Khris Middleton update piles on more issues amid Bucks' rough start

There has been nothing but uncertainty surrounding Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton from the moment he underwent duel ankle surgeries this offseason.

Initially, Doc Rivers claimed the team would try to get him on the floor for a preseason game or two. Then the hope was he'd be ready for the season opener. Many hoped he'd be back after the Bucks dropped their first few games. However, with each passing game, no Khris Middleton update has come to light, leaving everyone on the outside in the dark.

It felt like an announcement that Khris Middleton would be making his season debut would come any day now. Well, there is an update on his status, but it's anything but positive.

NBA insider delivers brutal update on Bucks' Khris Middleton

Speaking on ESPN, NBA insider Shams Charania delivered the latest news on Middleton, and it's far from what Milwaukee Bucks fans want to hear right now.

"He has yet to be cleared for five on five scrimmaging. Team officials have recognized that this is taking much longer than they anticipated."

It appears that all parties want to do everything in their power to make sure that Middleton is back to full health before he steps back on the court. Given all of the injuries he has suffered in recent years, that is the right play. Though it certainly stings at the moment, especially with Milwaukee dropping to 1-6 on the season after their most recent defeat, it is the right play if he's simply not ready yet.

There has been no word of a setback in Middleton's rehab, thankfully, so perhaps everyone is just simply focused on the long game.

In the meantime, the Milwaukee Bucks must learn to survive without Middleton, which seems like an incredibly daunting task amid this start. Yet, it starts with getting more out of the role players, mainly the veterans. Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince are two key starters, and their play has been a mixed bag. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez could provide some needed scoring if he can start hitting his triples.

At this point, it's all about the waiting game. It could be days, weeks or months before Middleton is ready to get back on the floor. Given how well it seemed he was progressing post-surgery, this is a shocking development. Nevertheless, the other players on this team are professionals, and they're now being asked to embrace the "next man up" mentality. It will be interesting to see which ones do.

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