Brown says Simmons will be back in January

Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown said Friday that rookie Ben Simmons will be back in action in the new year.

"Ben is coming back in January," Brown said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey. "It's not doom and gloom."

Simmons underwent foot surgery on Oct. 4 and no official timetable was given, but the expected recovery time was three months, which more or less lines up with Brown's statement.

Brown was holding court with reporters Friday in regards to the Sixers' rash of injuries. In addition to Simmons being on the shelf, Jahlil Okafor is dealing with right knee soreness and Jerryd Bayless has a wrist injury.

Simmons, the No. 1 pick in June's draft, hurt his right foot when he landed on another player early in training camp. It was a bitter pill for Philly fans, who among other bad breaks, have seen Joel Embiid sit out his first two pro seasons due to foot problems.

Simmons' absence for at least two months of the season has oddsmakers picking players like Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray, and even Embiid as favorites for Rookie of the Year.