Both Briant T. Smith and Joe Freeman are reporting that Martell Webster, who has been slowly rehabbing from a broken foot for the better part of a year now, has been cleared for 5 on 5 drills.
Smith writes...
Martell Webster is officially back.
The Portland Trail Blazers small forward has been cleared to participate in 5-on-5 action, according to a team representative.
Webster, 22, missed nearly the entire 2008-09 season due to a left foot injury.
...
Now that Webster has been cleared to play this season, he is expected to challenge Travis Outlaw and Nicolas Batum for the Blazers' starting small forward position during the team's upcoming training camp, which begins Sept. 29.
Freeman writes...
He fell short in an attempt to return in time for the playoffs last season and he's been compelled to take things sloth-like slow this offseason, but the wait is finally over for Trail Blazers small forward Martell Webster.
The one-time Blazers starter has been cleared for all basketball-related activities, according to general manager Kevin Pritchard, and is poised for a return when training camp opens later this month.
Not much to add here. Except that it's ridiculous he's still just 22 years old.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)