Jaren Jackson Jr. Out at Least Six Weeks With Torn MCL as Jazz Lose Another Starter

The Utah Jazz received a major injury blow Tuesday when the team announced that Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a torn MCL in his right knee and will be reevaluated in six weeks. Jackson was injured during Monday night’s 110-105 loss to his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies, when Ty Jerome fell into his knee. Multiple reports indicate the injury is not expected to require surgery.

The timing is especially difficult for Utah because Jackson had become a centerpiece of the revamped roster after arriving from Memphis last season. The former Defensive Player of the Year was averaging 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists through four games. Utah also lost Lauri Markkanen during Monday’s game, but Tuesday’s MRI brought better news there: Markkanen has a sprained right wrist and is considered day-to-day.

Jackson’s absence leaves the Jazz without one of their most important two-way players for a significant portion of the opening months. Utah had hoped to get an extended look at Jackson alongside Markkanen and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson after four straight seasons outside the playoffs. Instead, the frontcourt depth will be tested immediately while Jackson begins another rehabilitation process following the left-knee surgery that ended his 2025-26 season.