Cavs’ Varejao surprising coaches, himself in return from Achilles injury

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio _ Anderson Varejao was the starting center when he hobbled off the floor last December with a torn Achilles. He returns this season in a reserve role, but has pleasantly surprised himself and his coach with where he is in the recovery.tmpplchld “He’s moving well, his conditioning is much further along than I thought it would be at this stage. He’s active,” Cavaliers coach David Blatt said. “He’s still searching for his rhythm and his normal flow in the game because he hasn’t played for so long, but pleasantly surprised. Really surprised and in a good way.”tmpplchld Varejao has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout his career, but none as debilitating as a torn Achilles. At 33, no one knew what kind of mobility he would regain upon returning. He consulted last season with Chauncey Billups and Jonas Jerebko, both of whom returned from Achilles injuries.tmpplchld “Once you start playing again, you won’t feel anything,” Jerebko told him. “So just hang in there and keep working.”tmpplchld Varejao has been cleared for camp and participated in both sessions of Wednesday’s two-a-day. He is pleased with his conditioning after working out in Brazil this summer.tmpplchld “I’m feeling pretty good,” Varejao said. “I’m just going to have to take baby steps, little by little, to get back into the game, my rhythm and everything. I don’t know if I’m doing it as fast as I used to, but I’m basically doing everything right now.tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)tmpplchld Visit the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) at www.ohio.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld