Utah Jazz Center Walker Kessler Undergoes Shoulder Surgery; What Is a Labral Tear?

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler underwent shoulder surgery after an injury that will make him miss the rest of the season. Kessler had the procedure to repair a labral tear on Thursday in Los Angeles.

The injury comes at the wrong time for Kessler, who is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He and the Jazz briefly talked about a rookie extension. But, despite an offer from the Jazz, those talks didn’t get far down the road. The hope was for Kessler to have a big season, which would have helped his market next summer. However, the injury puts him in a precarious position. Kessler is said to be one of the best defenders and rim protectors in the league. He played in five games during the 2025-26 season with the Jazz, averaging 30.8 minutes, 14.4 points, and 10.8 rebounds per game. He was also shooting 70.3 per cent from the field at the time of his injury.

What is a shoulder labral tear?

According to experts, a shoulder labral tear happens in the labrum - a rim of cartilage that stabilizes the shoulder joint. The labrum is a cartilage in the shoulder, which is fibrous and rigid than the cartilage on the ends of the ball and socket. Also, this cartilage is found only around the socket where it is attached. The labrum is a thick tissue or type of cartilage that is attached to the rim of the socket and essentially forms a bumper that deepens the socket and helps keep the ball in place. In a few people, where the labrum is too small or is torn due to an injury, the ball may slide part of the way out of the socket or all the way out of the socket, causing a tear. According to doctors, the injury usually involves a dislocation of the shoulder, usually due to trauma. The ball of the shoulder dislocates toward the front of the shoulder or can go out the back of the shoulder. In either case, the labrum can tear off the bone. Usually, when this happens, the labrum does not heal back in the right location. Experts say a labrum tear takes several forms, and it is very easy to confuse these types. As a result, it is important that you discuss with the doctor exactly what type of tear you have. Sometimes, the labrum gets torn completely off the bone, usually associated with an injury to the shoulder in which the shoulder has subluxated or dislocated. Sometimes this type of tear occurs, and the individual does not realize that the shoulder has slid out of the socket.

How is the recovery from labrum surgery?

According to doctors, the recovery depends upon many factors like where the tear was located, how severe it was, and how good the surgical repair was. It is believed that it takes at least four to six weeks for the labrum to reattach itself to the rim of the bone, and probably another four to six weeks to get strong. Once the labrum has healed to the rim of the bone, it should see stress very gradually so that it can gather strength. It is important not to reinjure it while it is healing.