Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has been diagnosed with a torn MCL in his right knee and is expected to miss approximately six-to-eight weeks of action, sources tell Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link).

Jackson won’t require surgery to repair the tear, Charania and MacMahon add.

Jackson suffered the injury early in the second quarter of Monday’s loss to Memphis when Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome fell into his right knee after driving to the net and getting fouled by Svi Mykhailiuk (Twitter video link). After remaining on the floor in pain for a few moments, Jackson was able to remain in the game for the next offensive possession, but he subsequently checked out and was ruled out for the night.

It’s a disappointing turn of events for a Jazz team that hopes to contend for a playoff spot this season after a lengthy rebuilding process. Utah acquired Jackson at last season’s trade deadline, envisioning him teaming up with Lauri Markkanen to form one of the NBA’s most formidable forward duos. However, he underwent season-ending knee surgery in February after appearing in just three games for his new team and now faces another lengthy injury absence only four games into the 2026/27 season.

In his three full games with the Jazz this fall, Jackson averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 31.3 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .513/.417/.778. Utah went 1-2 in those games and fell to 1-3 as a result of Monday’s loss.

Markkanen also exited Monday’s contest early due to a wrist injury. We’re still waiting for an update on the severity of that injury.

Even if they got positive news on Markkanen, the Jazz will find themselves shorthanded in the frontcourt in the short term, with starting center Jusuf Nurkic also on the shelf as the result of a toe injury. Additionally, reserve center Jaxson Hayes missed Monday’s game due to right shoulder soreness.

Big man Mo Bamba and wings Josh Green and Josh Okogie were among the Jazz players who saw increased roles in the second half of Monday’s game with Jackson and Markkanen unavailable. Center Tony Bradley also played for the first time this season.