Jaren Jackson Jr.: Jazz forward out 6-8 weeks with a torn right MCL

From Plainfield to the fourth pick

Jackson was born on 15 September 1999 in Plainfield, New Jersey [1]. He went to Michigan State [1]. The Memphis Grizzlies selected him fourth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, on 21 June 2018 [1]. Basketball Reference lists a 2018-19 All-Rookie selection among his early honors [12].

Defensive Player of the Year and All-Star selections

The NBA named him the 2022-23 Kia Defensive Player of the Year. He received 56 first-place votes and 391 points, ahead of Milwaukee's Brook Lopez [8]. That season he led the league with 3.0 blocks per game [8]. Basketball Reference lists two blocks titles and three All-Defensive selections across his career [12].

He was named a reserve for the 2023 All-Star Game, and he was picked again for the 74th All-Star Game in 2025, which was his second career selection [9]. The NBA lists him as a two-time All-Star [2]. His listed position is forward-center, and he wears number 20 for the Jazz [1].

Eight seasons in Memphis

Jackson spent eight seasons with the Grizzlies. In that time he averaged 18.5 points and 5.6 rebounds [10]. Basketball Reference's career line, which includes his games for Utah, is 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game across nine seasons [12].

The Grizzlies said he had hurt his right foot during offseason basketball activities and had surgery for a turf toe injury [11]. The team said the surgery was complete and that he would be reevaluated in about 12 weeks, with a full recovery expected [11].

From Memphis to Utah

In early February 2026 the Grizzlies traded him to the Jazz in a multi-player deal that also involved draft picks [10]. ESPN was first to report the deal, on Tuesday, 3 February [6]. The teams announced it that evening [2]. John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. also went to Utah, and Utah sent four players back to Memphis [2] [6]. His contract runs through the 2029-30 season, with a player option [2]. When the trade was made, The Standard reported three years and $151 million left on his current five-year contract [6].

He played 45 games for Memphis and three for Utah in the 2025-26 season. Across those 48 games he averaged 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists [12].

A post-trade physical revealed a growth in his left knee, and surgery was set for the All-Star break [7]. That knee problem is separate from the injury below.

The right MCL tear

He opened the 2026-27 season with four games for Utah, averaging 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists [12]. Jackson left the Jazz's loss to Memphis early in the second quarter on Monday and did not return [5]. The team confirmed a torn MCL in his right knee and said he will be reevaluated in six weeks [4]. He will not need surgery [4].

Basketball Reference's injury log, updated on 27 October 2026, lists him as out with a knee injury for at least six to eight weeks, with a torn MCL [12]. Shams Charania of ESPN reported the same six-to-eight-week absence [4]. The headline on Yahoo Sports' report said he will miss 6-8 weeks [3].