The Memphis Grizzlies announced in a press release Monday that shooting guard Ty Jerome has been diagnosed with a severe right calf strain and will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Jerome was injured in Friday’s preseason finale against the Miami Heat.
Grizzlies qualify for 10-day hardship exception
In July, the Grizzlies used the room exception to sign Jerome to a three-year, $27.7 million contract. The 6-foot-5 guard is expected to make $8.78 million this season and $9.22 million in 2026-27.
His contract includes a player option worth $9.65 million for the 2027-28 season.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the 28-year-old will earn a spot in Memphis’ rotation. The Grizzlies will also be without Scottie Pippen Jr. for at least 12 weeks due to surgery on his left big toe.
Zach Eady (offseason ankle surgery) and Brandon Clark (knee surgery) are among other rotation players expected to miss the start of the season.
this @memgrizz The following medical update on Ty Jerome was announced today. pic.twitter.com/ybx0yyO0wZ
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) October 20, 2025
With all four players expected to miss several weeks, the Grizzlies will become the first team to receive a 10-day hardship exception after their third game of the season, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The hardship exception allows teams to temporarily add a 16th player if at least four players on the roster miss three or more consecutive games and are expected to be out for at least two weeks.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple teams have used hardship exceptions.
Ty Jerome finishes third in Sixth Man of the Year voting
Last season, Jerome played 70 games (three starts) for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 19.9 minutes per game, scoring a career-high 12.5 points and 1.1 steals, and contributing 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
The Virginia native also finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting, shooting a career-high 51.6 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from three-point range.
On January 24, in Cleveland’s 132-129 away game against the Philadelphia 76ers, he scored a career-high 33 points on 11-of-14 shooting (78.6%) and hit all eight three-pointers.
Rookie second-round guard Javon Small and second-year guard Cam Spencer are among the candidates expected to increase playing time in the Grizzlies backcourt.
Fortunately, star guard Ja Morant is expected to play in the season opener, head coach Tomas Isalo said after Monday’s practice. On October 5, Morant sprained his left ankle during training. He missed all five preseason games.
Vince Williams Jr. has also been in and out of the lineup during the preseason. Isalo said he is dealing with “nagging heel soreness” that the Grizzlies are monitoring.
Memphis opens the 2025-26 season Wednesday at home against the New Orleans Pelicans.
