Toronto Raptors: How Long Will Jared Sullinger Be Out?

Jared Sullinger has not played for the Toronto Raptors since the start of October and now looks extremely doubtful to suit up for the home opener.

When the Toronto Raptors signed Jared Sullinger to a one-year, $6 million deal back in July, Dwane Casey made his intentions clear. As far as the Raptors’ head coach was concerned, Sullinger would enter training camp as the team’s starting power forward unless “he comes out and stinks up the place.”

The thinking is that the 24-year old has the potential to be a nightly double-double threat, pending his ability to control his weight issues and playing enough minutes. (Patrick Patterson will likely still see a lot of action off the bench.)

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Understandably, Casey also wanted to use the preseason to see how well Sullinger played with Jonas Valanciunas, especially on defence. Unfortunately for the Raptors, opportunities were limited due to the 2012 first round draft pick making just one appearance at the start of October, against the Golden State Warriors.

Sullinger has been sidelined ever since, as a result of someone stepping on his foot. The Raptors have repeatedly insisted it is nothing serious, but he is now doubtful to suit up for the home opener on Wednesday.

Dwane Casey provided an update, when speaking to the Toronto Star‘s Chris O’Leary and the rest of the media on Friday: “Jared is still sore. He may be a little while before he comes back.

“We’ll get it checked out and see what it is. He worked out (Thursday). He’ll get it looked at and see what’s going on, because he’s been sore for a while now.”

Assuming Sullinger is out against the Detroit Pistons, this leads to the question of who will start? While a lot of people would like to see Patterson step in, he prefers to come off the bench, with Casey saying he also keeps the second unit intact.

Oct 19, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) looks for an open man against Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

As such, the role could well go to Pascal Siakam, who started during the final three games of the preseason. As you’d expect from a rookie, he’s had his ups and downs, but overall, the Raptors have been impressed with him.

Casey said: “He’s a rookie and you’re not going to change that. If he brings the energy and the intensity, which is why we brought him here, he’ll buy some minutes for Pat, because Pat’s been playing starter minutes anyway.”

Overall, the Raptors seem well-prepared to weather the storm of Sullinger’s absence for the short-term. However, the sooner he returns the better from a depth standpoint, as they look to build on the best season in franchise history.

Next: Is Pascal Siakam the answer at backup centre?

Are you concerned at all about Jared Sullinger’s lingering foot issue? Further, what kind of impact are you expecting him to have for the Raptors this season whenever he does return? Let us know in the comments section below.

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