Sixers Center Andre Drummond Cleared for Action vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Philadelphia 76ers have been slowly getting healthier. Like many teams across the NBA, the Sixers have dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak on their team. It all

Justin Grasso | Dec 30, 2021

Sixers Center Andre Drummond Cleared for Action vs. Brooklyn Nets /

The Philadelphia 76ers have been slowly getting healthier. Like many teams across the NBA, the Sixers have dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak on their team. It all started with Georges Niang, who entered the NBA's health and safety protocol two weeks ago.

After Niang entered the protocol, two more members of the Sixers joined him as Philly's veteran center Andre Drummond and young guard Shake Milton both tested positive for the virus.

A few nights later, Sixers veteran forward Danny Green became the fourth member of the Sixers to enter the protocol this month. Fortunately for the Sixers, the COVID-related setbacks stopped after Green.

And at this point, guys that were in the league's health and safety protocol are beginning to get cleared for action once again.

Andre Drummond's Set to Return

Georges Niang was cleared for action on Sunday ahead of the Sixers' matchup against the Washington Wizards on the road. He played once again on Tuesday in Toronto, but none of the others were cleared just yet.

That will change on Thursday, though. According to the Sixers' Wednesday night injury report, their veteran center Andre Drummond is no longer listed. As the veteran big man was cleared from the protocol earlier this week, his playing status for Thursday's game depended on how he was feeling physically.

It seems Drummond is eager to get back on the court and is ready to roll. Not only was the veteran big man present for Philly's Brooklyn-based practice on Thursday, but his absence on the injury report is a sign he's cleared for action.

Thursday's game will be Drummond's first game back since Philly's December 16 matchup against the Nets. After missing the last four outings, Drummond is back and ready to back up Joel Embiid once again.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

Published Dec 30, 2021

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA