Injuries piling up for Nuggets; Rudy out for season

The Denver Nuggets announced Wednesday that guard Rudy Fernandez will miss the rest of the season.

Fernandez needs to undergo surgery on his lower back.

The Nuggets acquired Fernandez from the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason. Fernandez didn't play for the Mavs, traded to Dallas from Portland following the 2010-11 season.

A former All-Rookie second team selection, Fernandez has averaged 9.1 points in 249 career games. He played in 31 games for Denver this year, and was averaging 8.6 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per game.

The injury to Fernandez is the latest blow to a Nuggets team that has dealt with injury issues all year. Former center Nene missed several weeks with an injury, and Danilo Gallinari, who missed time earlier this season with a sprained ankle, fractured his thumb on Monday, and could miss up to a month.

As pointed out by CBS Sports' Matt Moore, Fernandez's injury also affects the Spanish National Team for the upcoming Olympics. Fernandez joins Ricky Rubio, who tore his ACL earlier this season in Minnesota, as key players that will be sidelined for the Games.

Fernandez will be a restricted free agent this offseason.