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Ja Morant returning, but a new name on Grizzlies injury report

Ethan J. Skolnick|
Oct 6, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) talks with Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) during a time out during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) talks with Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) during a time out during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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Memphis GrizzliesCleveland Cavaliers

The Memphis Grizzlies have had one of those seasons so far that when something gets better, something else is bound to get worse.

That's the case with their latest injury update, on a day of rest prior to facing the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Saturday, trying to get back on track after starting the season 4-9.

Notably, Ja Morant -- who missed Wednesday's blowout loss in Boston -- is not on the report. Also, second-year center Zach Edey, who has not played yet this season after left ankle surgery, has been upgraded to questionable.

But there's a name on there that Memphis fans won't want to see.

That's rookie Cedric Coward, who has been a relevation thus far, so much that he's atop many Rookie of the Year ladders, ahead of the likes of Mavericks No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

Coward has right foot soreness. It's a shame if he can't get back out there soon, since one of the Grizzlies' issues has been getting minutes for him alongside Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Amid all the team's turmoil, Coward has been a consistent bright spot.

Ty Jerome and Brandon Clarke also remain out, with Clarke still a couple of months away. But at least Edey is closer, and if he makes his debut Saturday, that will put some Memphis players -- specifically Jackson Jr. -- back in their proper spots. A decision is likely closer to gametime. The former No. 9 overall pick out of Purdue played 66 games last season and averaged 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Edey is likely to be on a minutes restriction upon his return.

Of course, whoever plays, all eyes will still be on Morant, who just had one of his worst weeks as a pro, as he continues to be discussed in trade rumors, though none seemingly yet from Memphis's side. The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly acquired recently about his availability.

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Ethan J. Skolnick
ETHAN J. SKOLNICK

Ethan has covered all major sports -- in South Florida and beyond -- since 1996 and is one of the longest-tenured fully credentialed members of the Miami Heat. He has covered, in total, more than 30 NBA Finals, Super Bowls, World Series and Stanley Cup Finals. After working full-time for the Miami Herald, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Bleacher Report and several other outlets, he founded the Five Reasons Sports Network in 2019 and began hosting the Five on the Floor podcast as part of that network. The podcast is regularly among the most downloaded one-team focused NBA podcasts in the nation, and the network is the largest independent sports outlet in South Florida, by views, listens and social media reach. He has a B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University and an M.S. from Columbia University. TWITTER: @EthanJSkolnick and @5ReasonsSports EMAIL: fllscribe@gmail.com

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