76ers get tough injury news on Jared McCain

The injury woes have already begun for the Philadelphia 76ers a month before the start of next season.

Second-year guard Jared McCain reportedly tore the UCL in his right thumb during a workout held on Thursday. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, McCain is expected to undergo surgery to repair the thumb issue, with his projected timeline to return set at “about four to six weeks.”

The good news for Sixers fans is that McCain will likely be back within the first 10 games of the season. His absence will also give No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe a chance at increased playing time to start his NBA career.

But it remains a tough blow for McCain, who saw his rookie season cut short due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. The thumb injury will keep McCain out for the entirety of training camp and rob him of the chance to ramp up during the preseason.

McCain looked like a strong candidate to win Rookie of the Year last season before suffering his season-ending knee injury. The 2024 first-round pick averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 23 games and looked like a rare bright spot in what was an otherwise nightmarish 76ers campaign.

McCain suffered the injury just a day after he was clowned for an embarrassing picture during a Sixers photoshoot.