Jazz lose Jaren Jackson Jr. for 6-8 weeks with torn MCL

October 27, 2026

The Jazz are still trying to get a sustained look at Jaren Jackson Jr. alongside Lauri Markkanen. Another knee injury will put that plan on hold.

Jackson has been diagnosed with a torn MCL in his right knee and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon. He will not require surgery.

That’s the encouraging part. The rest is another difficult development for a team hoping to move beyond rebuilding.

Jackson was injured during Monday’s loss to the Grizzlies when Ty Jerome fell into his right knee after being fouled on a drive. Jackson briefly stayed in the game before checking out and being ruled out for the night.

Utah acquired him at last season’s trade deadline, but he played just three games before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in February. Now, four games into this season, he faces another extended absence.

Jackson averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in his three full games this fall, shooting 51.3% from the field and 41.7% on threes.

The Jazz also lost Markkanen to a wrist injury Monday, with the severity not yet known in the initial reporting. Jusuf Nurkic is already sidelined by a toe injury, and Jaxson Hayes missed the Memphis game with right shoulder soreness.

Mo Bamba and Tony Bradley are among the options to absorb more frontcourt minutes for Utah, which fell to 1-3.