Fred VanVleet is no longer on the Rockets' injury report after being cleared Tuesday, a status change from the day-to-day tag he had carried since Sept. 6. The move removes any restriction on him heading into Houston's game at Dallas on Oct. 9, the next matchup on the schedule.
What happened
The Rockets cleared Fred VanVleet on their Tuesday, Sept. 22 injury report at 12:28 PM ET, removing the day-to-day tag he had carried since Sunday, Sept. 6, when he was listed with a right knee issue. The Tuesday entry carried no additional detail and no comment from the team. VanVleet's designation now reads cleared rather than day-to-day, and the report lists no expected return date because none is needed. No other status change accompanied the clearance.
What it means for the Rockets
Houston's next game on the schedule is at the Mavericks on Friday, Oct. 9. The 2026-27 season has not started, so the Rockets carry no record yet and VanVleet has no season line to point to. Last season, in games he missed, Amen Thompson averaged 37.4 minutes and 18.3 points, Kevin Durant 36.4 minutes and 26.0 points, Jabari Smith Jr. 35.1 minutes and 15.8 points, and Alperen Sengun 33.3 minutes and 20.4 points, with Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Steven Adams and Josh Okogie also seeing extended run. With VanVleet cleared, he heads into the Dallas game with no restriction listed.
What to watch
The Rockets have not announced an expected return timeline for VanVleet, and none is needed now that he is cleared. Houston's report still carries Steven Adams and Kevin Durant as day-to-day with left ankle issues, so the next injury report is worth checking before the Oct. 9 game at Dallas. Any change to VanVleet's status would show up on that report first.
Is Fred VanVleet playing at the Mavericks?
He is cleared on Houston's injury report as of Tuesday, Sept. 22, with no restriction listed. The Rockets play at Dallas on Friday, Oct. 9.
When will Fred VanVleet be back?
He is already off the injury report. The Rockets cleared him Tuesday, Sept. 22, after listing him day-to-day with a right knee issue on Sept. 6.