The Cavaliers said Tuesday the forward has a lower back stress reaction and will be reevaluated in about three to four weeks.

Tomlin missed the entire preseason with the injury and had not been cleared to practice.

Even if he is cleared at the three-week mark, he would miss at least the first 11 games of Cleveland’s season.

He averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes over 64 games in 2025-26, then moved from a two-way to a standard deal in February.

Sam Merrill, Mario Hezonja and Jaylon Tyson are expected to be Kenny Atkinson’s main wing and forward reserves.

Cleveland carries only 14 players on standard contracts, and big man Khalifa Diop is dealing with a left knee injury.

Photo by Erik Drost, CC-BY-4.0, resized. Nae’Qwan Tomlin of the Cleveland Cavaliers in January 2026.

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