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ESPN Staff Writer- Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
- Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
- Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM
Utah Jazz star power forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. has sustained a torn MCL in his right knee and will be reevaluated in six weeks, the team announced Tuesday.
Sources told ESPN that Jackson is looking at a six- to eight-week timetable to return from the injury he suffered Monday night.
The Jazz also announced that Lauri Markkanen is day-to-day with a sprained right wrist. He also exited Monday's home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half with the injury.
Utah is hopeful that 7-foot Markkanen won't miss an extended period, but the injury is to his shooting wrist, which is particularly problematic for a volume 3-point shooter.
Jackson, a two-time All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year acquired in a blockbuster deal before last season's trade deadline, was injured when Grizzles guard Ty Jerome fell into him and caused his knee to buckle.
Jackson played only three games for the Jazz last season after the trade before undergoing surgery to remove a noncancerous growth in his left knee. Utah sent three first-round picks to the Grizzlies in the deal, which Jazz management hoped would fuel the franchise's return to competitiveness this season.
The Jazz's frontcourt has been devastated by injuries. Starting center Jusuf Nurkic has yet to play this season due to a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe in his right foot, an injury that is scheduled to be reevaluated in early November.