After a disastrous season, the Philadelphia 76ers have suffered an early setback heading into 2025-26. Sophomore guard Jared McCain has suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb, delaying his development and sidelining him for the beginning of the season. Fans are curious about his injury and his timetable for return.

What Happened to Jared McCain?

The Sixers confirmed that McCain tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb during an offseason workout. He and the team are consulting medical specialists to figure out if surgery will be necessary. The injury is not career-threatening, but comes at an especially unfortunate time for McCain, who was still working his way back from an injury during December 2024, shutting his promising rookie season down. For a player expected to compete for minutes, the timing of his injury is particularly frustrating for him and the team.

How Long Does a UCL Tear Take to Heal?

UCL tears in the thumb can vary in severity. Non-surgical cases usually heal in 4-6 weeks with proper rehab and immobilization, whereas surgical repairs can extend recovery to 10-12 weeks, maybe more. According to experts, surgery is only considered if the ligament is completely torn or unstable, which can significantly delay his return (according to nhs.uk.com). Philadelphia has not confirmed if McCain will need surgery or not, but he will still miss at least the start of training camp. The team has stated that they will monitor his progress before setting a return date.

How Long Is Jared McCain Out For? His Availability for the 2025–26 Season

Based on the announcement from the Sixers, McCain is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, putting his availability for the beginning of the regular season in doubt, though he may return by November if surgery is avoided. If a procedure is required, his absence can stretch into December or later. This uncertainty forces Philly to lean on their backup options earlier in the year, especially with high expectations following them missing the playoffs last year.

McCain’s Injury History & Context

This isn’t McCain’s first serious setback. The injury he suffered in December 2024 was a lateral meniscus tear, and as a result, he only ended up playing 23 games. His promising rookie season, where he averaged 15.3 points per game on 38.3% from three, was cut short, robbing him of valuable NBA experience and disrupting his developmental timeline.

Now, McCain faces yet another uphill climb. For a rookie projected as a dynamic shooter and scorer, these consecutive injuries raise serious concerns about his long-term rhythm.

What This Means for the 76ers’ Guard Rotation & Team Plans

McCain’s absence will put a lot more pressure on Philly’s backcourt, especially All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, who also suffered multiple injuries to his fingers last season, limiting him to 52 games played. Maxey himself will most likely be replaced by current RFA Quentin Grimes if he returns to the team, as well as veteran Kyle Lowry and #3 pick rookie VJ Edgecombe, depending on how coach Nick Nurse will structure his rotations.

The front office might also look to add a guard on a short-term deal if McCain’s injury drags on. Early-season strategies usually require stability, but McCain’s shooting and playmaking profile will be sorely missed by the Sixers, who will be thinner at their guard spot until he returns.

McCain’s situation remains fluid, mainly hinging on whether surgery will be required. Major signs to monitor for the franchise will be MRI results, rehab milestones, and eventual contact work. If recovery goes smoothly, the Sixers won’t be without him for too long, but setbacks could push it further, which is undeniably a frustrating hurdle for the team. For now, Philly is cautiously optimistic, knowing they need to be patient with the young guard’s health.