76ers place Geiger on injury list

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Philadelphia 76ers reserve center Matt Geiger, after missing 43 games with chronic knee problems last season, is back on the injured list with patellofemoral arthritis in both knees.

The injury-riddled 76ers activated rookie center Alvin Jones to replace Geiger.

Geiger, 32, has been clearly hampered by the knee problems, averaging just nine minutes and 0.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in Philadelphia's first four games. He did not dress in the 76ers' fifth loss in as many games, a 77-72 defeat to Houston on Thursday.

Along with missing 43 games to knee problems and right quadriceps tendinitis last season, Geiger was also suspended two games for violating the league's steroids policy. He averaged just 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.5 minutes. In 1999-2000, Geiger missed 17 games after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

The 7-footer is in his fourth season with the Sixers. He signed as a free agent before the 1998-99 season and has been mentioned in trade rumors over the last year.

Jones, a second-round pick, was placed on the injured list with right knee tendinitis on October 29 to start the season.

Guard Aaron McKie returned for Philadelphia Thursday after missing the first four games of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery. But the Sixers are still without reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Allen Iverson, point guard Eric Snow and rookie center Samuel Dalembert, their first-round pick.