Jarell Martin Injury: Updates on Grizzlies PF's Foot and Recovery

Scott PolacekSep 2, 2015

The Memphis Grizzlies have high hopes for rookie forward Jarell Martin, but he fractured his left foot during a workout before even appearing in a preseason game, according to the team’s official Twitter account.

Continue for updates.

Martin Will Reportedly Undergo Surgery Thursday

Wednesday, Sept. 2

The Grizzlies selected Martin out of LSU with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2015 draft. The forward was fresh off a first-team All-SEC season that saw him average 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on the way to an NCAA tournament appearance.

Unfortunately for Memphis, it likely won’t see that talent on display for quite some time since there is no timetable for his return after Thursday's surgery, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

Martin is a multitalented prospect who is athletic enough to run the floor and explode to the basket on face-up drives. He also boasts range that extends to the three-point line and is strong enough (6'10", 235 lbs) to compete in the paint against opposing bigs.

The Grizzlies brought him aboard to help a frontcourt that finished a disappointing 20th in the league in total rebounds per game last season.

The one silver lining outside of the timing of the injury (there are still nearly two months until the regular season even begins) is the presence of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph down low. The two stars combined to average 18.3 boards a night and should keep the Grizzlies within playoff contention even without Martin.

However, Gasol turns 31 this season, and Randolph is 34. Memphis could use younger depth behind them during the physically grueling season, and Martin was supposed to provide just that.

The Grizzlies did sign Brandan Wright this offseason as an insurance policy after he averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19.3 minutes a night for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns last year. He is 6’10” and could see an increased role (and better numbers with more minutes) if the injury forces Martin to miss extensive time at the beginning of the year.

Memphis still needs a healthy Martin at some point if it hopes to keep Gasol and Randolph fresh for the playoffs.