Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome Out At Least Four Weeks With Calf Strain

October 20th 2025 at 5:32pm CST by Rory Maher

Ty Jerome has been diagnosed with a high-grade right calf strain and will be out at least four weeks, which is when he’ll be reexamined, the Grizzlies announced in a press release (Twitter link).

Jerome sustained the injury in Friday’s preseason finale vs. Miami. He was a key free agent addition this summer for Memphis, which signed the 28-year-old combo guard to a three-year, $27.7MM deal using the room exception.

It’s another unfortunate injury development for the Grizzlies, who will be without Scotty Pippen Jr. for at least 12 weeks due to left big toe surgery. Zach Edey (offseason ankle surgery) and Brandon Clarke (knee surgery) are among the other projected rotation players expected to miss time to open the new season.

With all four players expected to miss multiple weeks, the Grizzlies should qualify for a 10-day hardship exception after their third game of the season, observes Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian (Twitter link). Herrington lists a handful of free agents — including Charles Bassey and Jared Butler — who could appeal to the Grizzlies, depending on whether they prioritize a big man or a guard.

A hardship exception allows a team to temporarily add a 16th man if there are at least four players on the roster who have missed three or more consecutive games and project to remain sidelined for at least two more weeks.

Jerome averaged 12.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 70 games last season for Cleveland (19.9 minutes per contest). He also posted an elite shooting line of .516/.439/.872 and finished third in voting for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Rookie second-rounder Javon Small and second-year guard Cam Spencer are among the candidates for more playing time in the Grizzlies’ backcourt.