Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley is out 6-8 weeks with a fractured vertebrae, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

Conley sustained the back injury during the 3rd quarter of the Grizzlies’ loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night after being involved in a collision.

Memphis is already short-handed with injuries to wings Chandler Parsons and James Ennis, and center Brandon Wright. Andrew Harrison is expected to fill in for Conley as Memphis’ primary point guard, while Wade Baldwin IV is expected to see an increased role.

The Grizzlies will be able to apply for the hardship exception after their Saturday contest with the Los Angeles Lakers. This exception will allow the Grizzlies to sign a 16th player onto their roster, which will be a point guard.

Wojnarowski reports in the same piece that free agent point guards Toney Douglas, Kendall Marshall, Will Bynum, and others will visit the Grizzlies for a tryout to make the open roster spot.

Star center Marc Gasol is now the only Grizzlies player that is healthy under a maximum-level contract, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

Conley, who signed a five-year, $153 million contract this summer, the richest long-term deal in NBA history, is averaging 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this season under first-year head coach David Fizdale.

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