Virginia Tech coach Mike Young gives brutal injury update on Tyler Johnson

When news broke before the Virginia Tech men's basketball team was about to open ACC play on New Year's Eve against Virginia at home that Tyler Johnson was going to be out, it was a cause for concern. The sophomore from Florida is as tough as they come, but his foot has been in a boot since.

At the time, Virginia Tech was also missing Tobi Lawal and Antonio Dorn. Over time since then, both Lawal and Dorn have returned to the Hokies lineup, but Johnson has yet to suit up for a conference game. Head coach Mike Young has been hinting at him potentially returning by now, but he has yet to clear the final obstacles to get on the floor. There was hope he was going to play against North Carolina State last Saturday after the Virginia Tech bye week, but he was ruled out. Now, it appears that they'll be missing him again on Wednesday night.

Mike Young gives concerning and frustrating update on Tyler Johnson

David Teel of The Virginian-Pilot asked Young on Monday about Johnson's status for Wednesday's game at Clemson. It doesn't sound like he'll be available to play, which is a blow to a team that desperately needs him back in the lineup.

That doesn't sound promising. Virginia Tech is slowly trickling down the NCAA Tournament bubble and is in danger of falling off the bubble and heading to the NIT. There is still time to get back on the right side of the bubble, but given the way things are going and heading, it's going to take a win at Clemson to begin to head in the right direction.

Freshman Neoklis Avdalas is struggling, the Hokies' defense is unable to get stops when they need to, and the three losses in the final seconds of regulation in conference games are adding up to trouble. Getting Johnson back sooner rather than later will help, but it won't be happening to the weekend at the earliest, it appears.