The Memphis Grizzlies’ faced a setback in June when Zach Edey sprained his left ankle during an offeseaosn workout. The setback quickly turned serious, leading to surgery to stabilize the injury and early projections that he’d miss the start of the season. For a 7-foot-4 sophomore looking to build on a strong rookie campaign, it seemed like tough timing. But months later, the tone around Edey’s recovery is shifting. A new update from the team carries a much brighter outlook.

The Memphis Grizzlies provided an update on Zach Edey’s recovery, posting on X, “Zach Edey (ankle) is expected to miss 6-to-9 more weeks.” They added that he “underwent surgery to address laxity in his left ankle” but has now “been cleared to begin ramping up basketball activities.” While the progress is encouraging, the team expects the 7-foot-4 center to remain sidelined for the opening stretch. Realistically, he’ll miss the first couple months of the season before making his return.

Ankle issues aren’t new for Edey. Last season, he missed 12 games with a sprain to that same ankle but returned to deliver an impressive rookie season. The former two-time national player of the year at Purdue appeared in 66 games with 55 starts, averaging 9.2 points and a rookie-best 8.3 rebounds, earning him a spot on the All-Rookie first team.

If you watched Zach Edey down the stretch last season, you know exactly why the Grizzlies are so eager to get him back. He made his presence felt in all four playoff games against Oklahoma City, averaging 6.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in just 27 minutes per night. But it was his Game 4 showing that really caught attention: eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, eight boards, an assist, and a jaw-dropping seven blocks before fouling out in a 117-115 nail-biter.

That seven-block night set a new high for any Grizzlies rookie in the playoffs, just two shy of Manute Bol’s NBA rookie record from 1986. Even before the postseason, Edey was showing he could dominate the glass, posting 10.6 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks across his final eight regular-season games in April. Fans had every reason to believe he was primed for a breakout sophomore year.

Injuries, unfortunately, have followed Zach Edey almost every step of his young career. The ankle surgery in June was just the latest in a string of setbacks. Over the past season alone, he battled ankle problems in April, March, and November, along with another ankle issue in early October connected to his calf. On top of that, he suffered a concussion in late December. For a 7-foot-4 rookie trying to establish himself in the NBA, that’s a heavy load of obstacles to overcome in such a short time.

Now, with Edey sidelined to start the new season, Memphis faces a real challenge: how do they maintain competitiveness while missing one of their most promising young stars?

Grizzlies’ frontcourt faces early-season test amid injuries

The Grizzlies rolled out more injury updates ahead of training camp, and it’s a lot to take in if you’re a fan of their frontcourt. Rookie Cedric Coward, this summer’s 11th-overall pick, is finally ready to fully participate after rehabbing a left shoulder injury from his Washington State days. Jaren Jackson Jr., fresh off turf toe surgery in early July, has been cleared to start basketball activities and could be back in 4–6 weeks. Brandon Clarke, meanwhile, will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to address knee synovitis in his right knee—a follow-up to his March PCL repair. With Edey also sidelined, the Grizzlies’ frontcourt suddenly looks thin.

NBA insider Keith Smith painted a clear picture of what Memphis is facing on X, saying, “Grizzlies frontcourt is starting to look awfully thin. No Zach Edey and no Brandon Clarke to start the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. is coming off offseason surgery. Lots of minutes for Santi Aldama and Jock Landale to open the year. Maybe some for two-way player PJ Hall too.” It’s easy to see why he’s concerned.

Last season, the Grizzlies were one of the league’s best at grabbing boards, pulling down 47.3 per game, but with Edey, Clarke, and Jackson Jr. sidelined or just returning from surgery, Aldama is the only dependable frontcourt presence heading into opening night. That puts added pressure on Jock Landale, newly acquired from Houston, and two-way player P.J. Hall to help fill the gap. Landale’s 14.6% total rebound rate last season suggests he could make a difference in keeping Memphis competitive on the glass.

To further bolster depth, the Grizzlies added two more frontcourt options: center Lawson Lovering and forward Tyler Burton, both Summer League standouts. Lovering, a 7-foot-1 Wyoming native, started all 28 games as a senior at Utah, averaging 8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 23.8 minutes. Burton, 6-foot-7 from Massachusetts, showed glimpses of scoring potential despite limited G League time with the Memphis Hustle, finishing his college career at Villanova after transferring from Richmond.

While neither Lovering nor Burton signed standard NBA or two-way deals—most likely landing on Exhibit 10 contracts—they still represent potential options for a Grizzlies team riddled with injuries and in need of frontcourt minutes.