Lakers Injury Report: Vague Timeline Revealed For Jarred Vanderbilt Return

It's only a matter of time before LA gets back their defensive stallworth.

The return of Los Angeles Lakers defensive-minded forward Jarred Vanderbilt could be upon us. 

According to Jovan Buha, a Lakers insider from The Athletic, Vanderbilt is going to be back this season; it's just a matter of when exactly. 

"I've heard Vando is progressing upward,"

 "It sounds like he's going to be back this season; it's just a matter of like timing. Is it two weeks from now, is it four weeks from now? There is a big difference in terms of when he returns."

—Jovan Buha

“It sounds like [Jarred Vanderbilt]'s going to be back this season; it's just a matter of timing”

Vanderbilt, out since Feb. 1 when he suffered a foot injury, has been progressing upward and could return before the end of the season.

(@jovanbuha) pic.twitter.com/WOG2Ce8nsx

— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) March 10, 2024

Vanderbilt has missed the last month of the season due to a foot injury. He suffered the injury on February 1st during the Lakers' Grammy road trip against the Boston Celtics. 

The 24-year-old may be nonexistent on offense, but his defense makes up for it. He's by far the second-best and most impactful defender outside of superstar Anthony Davis. He is averaging 5.2 points in the season on 51.8% shooting from the file, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 assists. 

Vanderbilt missed the start of the regular season due to left heel soreness. Injuries have been a pain for the Lakers and their defensive-minded forward. Nonetheless, this is excellent news for all parties involved. We can't wait to have the Vandolorian back on the court. Let's hope it's sooner rather than later.