This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Portland, Ore. • It didn't look particularly good when Earl Watson limped off the court in the first half of Friday's 86-77 win over the Trail Blazers. But he returned to the game despite soreness in his right leg. He played 22 minutes, tallying 3 points and 7 assists before being sitting the rest of the night.

However, Watson is one giant question mark after he underwent an MRI Saturday morning in Salt Lake City and did not fly to join the team in Portland as originally planned.

The Jazz are expected to provide more information on the extent of Watson's injury and, perhaps, a timeline for his return before the team plays the Blazers at 8 p.m. MT at the Rose Garden.

Watson has played in 32 games after missing the end of last season and the start of this one following surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. He averages 17 minutes a game, and has recently talked about getting back into peak physical condition after not playing for six months. The point guard has taken on an enhanced role since Mo Williams went down on Dec. 22 with a tear in his right thumb, serving as the primary backup but often playing more minutes than starter Jamaal Tinsley.

— Bill Oram