Jakob Poeltl Cleared for Friday After Sitting Out Back-to-Back

Jakob Poeltl is officially cleared to play on Friday, meaning the Toronto Raptors get their starting center back in the rotation. Underdog NBA confirmed the big man has shaken off a shoulder issue just in time for the weekend slate.

If you were tracking his status, you already know he sat out Thursday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Raptors were staring down a back-to-back, and playing a veteran center on consecutive nights in the modern NBA is apparently a federal crime.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Jakob Poeltl (shoulder) available to play Friday.'"

The injury report has been a bit of a moving target lately. Earlier in the week it was a back issue keeping him on the shelf, and now it is a shoulder problem. At this point, we can just assume his entire upper body was protesting the schedule.

When he actually plays, Poeltl has been quietly effective. He is averaging 8.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over his last handful of appearances. Those are not exactly numbers that will break the internet, but they are the exact kind of steady production that swings fantasy matchups and prop bets.

His return means the Toronto frontcourt rotation goes back to normal. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles soaked up the extra minutes on Thursday, but they will be securely fastened to the bench with Poeltl back in the mix.

Expect Poeltl to slide right back into his usual workload of setting screens, grabbing boards, and doing the dirty work. If you are holding him in fantasy, get him back in your active lineup before tip-off.