The silence at the Rose Garden spoke volumes Tuesday night as Rudy Fernandez writhed on the hardwood floor clutching his left ankle. It's the last thing anyone wanted to see with minutes left in an ugly loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Hours earlier, head coach Nate McMillan just wanted to make it through the game with the rest of his roster intact.

"We're hoping no one else goes down," McMillan said. "Let's just get through preseason. We cross our fingers that we don't have anymore injuries."

Too late.

Now Fernandez can reserve a trainers table next to Martell Webster.

Before the game the Blazers revealed Webster would be sidelined with a stress fracture in his left foot (as detailed here via the Courtside Blog). While his return is in question, reports indicate the projected starting small forward will miss at least eight weeks of play. It could be more. It could be less. But either way, Portland has to find a solution in replacing Webster and bodies appear to be falling fast.

What is the short-term solution to this apparent long-term problem?

While Travis Outlaw is said to be next in line for the starting spot, experimenting at small forward will be at a premium in Portland in the coming days and weeks. Another option is to start Fernandez – once he gets some treatment on the ankle and is truly healthy – but that will likely mean also a change at shooting guard as well.

"Rudy's not a three," McMillan added.

"I think if Rudy is playing and Brandon (Roy) is out there, I think Brandon is most likely the guy to fill-in at the three spot. So yeah, we can go with Brandon and Rudy out on the floor. We can go with Travis and I think this is an opportunity to take a real look at Nicolas (Batum)."

Batum – the 6-8, 200 pound forward – made a case for himself against the Warriors on Wednesday night.His stat line (6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block) doesn't scream starter, but Batum has played nicely in the first two preseason games in Portland and now gives McMillan a similar look to what Outlaw has provided when playing with the second unit – a long active body.

Still, the topic of conversation remains, when Fernandez is healthy is he a realistic candidate to start for Portland?

"We may have to look at that. After these preseason games, I'll make a decision," McMillan continued.

"Losing a player that was in rotation – whether Martell was starting or if I decided to bring him off the bench – we lose a piece of this team, and I think an important piece. It's not a season ending injury. But again, we have to make adjustments. This is an opportunity."

Who will make the most of that opportunity? Will Outlaw instantly get the starting job? Who will replace Outlaw in the second unit, and what does this mean to someone like Luke Jackson –a guy who could also contribute at small forward?

This much is true: Fernandez could be out the next two preseason games – against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday in Kansas City and maybe even Sunday with the Utah Jazz in Portland. After that, McMillan will have to work some magic.

Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings, McMillan experimented some at small forward. Webster started. He was subbed-in for Fernandez during the first quarter. Outlaw started the second half. And in between, Roy saw time at small forward when McMillan opted to go with Fernandez at shooting guard, with either Jerryd Bayless or Sergio Rodriguez running the point.

Little did McMillan know then what he knows now.

Channing Frye and Steve Blake are already on the mend. Now Rudy is gimpy. If indeed Webster is out for the next eight weeks – or more if the stress fracture worsens – it could be a slow start to the season in Portland.

A start filled with plenty of bumps and bruises.