The 2015 NBA injury plague remains unrelenting, and Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, who earlier in the season missed 11 games, continues to be one its victims.

Howard previously missed the aforementioned games because of a strained right knee, and recently, an ESPN report stated that the Rockets' defensive anchor would be out at least a month because of more issues in the same knee.

Howard was found to have edema, or swelling due to an excess of fluids in his knee, as an MRI last Thursday revealed. He will be undergoing further evaluation as multiple doctors look to determine the best treatment option for the cumbersome knee.

The Rockets have not yet specified whether the veteran big man is dealing with swelling within a bone, or in the soft tissue of the knee, according to CBS Sports.

Howard did not travel with the team's recent two-game road trip.

"The Rockets already acknowledge that a period of rest "likely measured in weeks' will be the minimum requirement before their defensive anchor is ready to return to the lineup," the ESPN report said.

The report confirmed Rockets coach Kevin McHale's doubts he expressed last week about Howard's return when he said, "I don't anticipate him being here for a while. How long, I don't know. We'll make do until he comes back."

The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has not played since January 23, and for the season, has missed 16 games in total.

Despite the extended absence of their defensive stalwart, the Rockets have found themselves playing well, currently placing second in the stacked Southwest division, and third overall in the Western Conference at 33-15.

According to ESPN, the Rockets are confident that Howard will have enough time to condition himself for the crucial late regular season push.

The 29-year-old Howard has season averages of 16.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 32 games.