Chris Youngblood has been downgraded from day-to-day to out on the Trail Blazers' injury report, with left ankle soreness keeping him off the floor for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Suns. The report lists an expected return of Friday, Oct. 23.
What happened
The Trail Blazers listed Chris Youngblood as out on Tuesday night's injury report, filed at 8:03 PM ET. The 24-year-old guard had been day-to-day, and the detail is now a left ankle. The report's comment says Youngblood is out for Wednesday's regular-season opener against Phoenix due to left ankle soreness. It is a new issue on the injury report. Last week he was carried as day-to-day with a left calf problem, listed on Monday, Oct. 12 and again on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The report gives an expected return of Oct. 23.
What it means for the Trail Blazers
Portland opens the 2026-27 season at home against the Suns on Wednesday at 10:00 PM ET. Youngblood played 34 games last season, averaging 5.4 minutes, 2.1 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists, so the rotation hit is small. The bigger concern is the rest of the report. Shaedon Sharpe is out with a right knee issue, Branden Carlson is out with a concussion, and Deni Avdija and Micah Potter are day-to-day. With Youngblood unavailable, the backcourt minutes run through Jrue Holiday at 29.4 a night and Scoot Henderson at 24.9, with Kris Murray at 23.4 off the bench. There is no record with or without him yet. The season has not started.
What to watch
The report lists an expected return of Friday, Oct. 23, which would put Youngblood back for the second game of the season if nothing changes. The next injury report update will show whether he stays out or moves back to day-to-day, and whether Avdija and Potter are cleared for the opener. Sharpe's status is the one that shapes the guard rotation most.
Is Chris Youngblood playing vs the Suns?
No. Youngblood is listed as out for Wednesday's opener against Phoenix with left ankle soreness.
When will Chris Youngblood be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Friday, Oct. 23. Nothing beyond that date has been announced.