Frosh Weak: Injuries continue for Duke's 5-star freshmen

You can now add Marques Bolden to the overflowing M.A.S.H. unit at Duke, as the five-star freshman suffered a leg injury over the weekend that will keep him out of the lineup indefinitely.

Bolden becomes the third member of the Blue Devils' heralded recruiting class to go down with an injury before the season tips off.

First it was the nation's No. 1 recruit Harry Giles undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery at the beginning of October. While the star forward is expected back by the end of November, it's the latest in a series of knee issues for Giles. He tore the ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his left knee before his sophomore year in high school, and suffered an ACL tear in his right knee during his senior season. The latest surgery may not be as significant as his previous trips to the operating table, but a 6-foot-10 big man with several past knee problems isn't someone to bank on.

Next to the infirmary was the No. 3 recruit in the country, small forward Jayson Tatum. The 6-foot-8 five-star recruit suffered a foot injury during Duke's 'Pro Day' practice two weeks ago, and scouts initially feared the worst when Tatum couldn't put any weight on his foot. Fortunately for the Blue Devils, Tatum would be diagnosed with just a foot sprain and is expected to be fine for the opening game Friday against Marist.

Bolden, ranked as the No. 16 recruit in the country, has already been ruled out of Duke's first two games of the season with his leg injury. He will be re-evaluated after the weekend, with a more definitive ruling on his status sure to follow.

With three significant injury concerns surrounding three five-star recruits, Duke is surely in trouble to start the season, right?

For practically every team in the country, the answer to that question would be a resounding yes, but not Mike Krzyzewski's program.

The Blue Devils' depth will certainly take a hit with the injuries, but Duke is still in excellent shape to win a bunch of games until the team is fully healthy. Three of the four leading scorers from last year's team return, including star swingman Grayson Allen.

Chase Jeter, the No. 11 recruit in the 2015 class, played sparingly in his freshman season but appears ready to make the leap into a more significant role. Duke's fourth five-star recruit from this year's crop, Frank Jackson, looks ready to dominate from the point guard position.

Duke's first real test of the season is Nov. 15 against No. 3 Kansas and star freshman Josh Jackson. Giles won't be available for that one, and it's unclear whether Bolden will play with his latest injury.

With the roster depth Krzyzewski has built through returning players and top-level recruiting, it probably won't matter, as Duke looks set to roll regardless.