The San Antonio Spurs will be without their biggest offseason addition for the next two weeks and possibly the start of the regular season. Tobias Harris sustained what head coach Mitch Johnson calls a calf strain. Before its annual Silver & Black Scrimmage, the team announced that the injury occurred during training camp.

“For the regular season, yeah,” Johnson responded when asked whether Harris would be ready for when games start counting.

But while the Spurs' second-year coach initially answered the question generally, as in whether Harris will play during the season, he clarified some specifics moments later with a question he himself answered.

“The seriousness is what it is. We won't rush him at all, so I guess the question would be: Is he ready for the season opener? Totally questionable.”

In signing a two-year deal for nearly $31 million, the 16th-year forward joined an NBA finalist dominated by some of the NBA's brightest young stars. It appears he'll have to wait a bit to line up next to Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and company vs. another team.

“We will not push that at all,” Johnson continued. “We'll take it slow. There is no concern of this level of seriousness, and at the same time, we will not rush him at all.”

Teammates give thoughts on Tobias Harris injury

While Harris' chops and scoring abilities are expected to boost a Spurs team that lacked offensive cohesion at times in the Finals, they return every key player from last year's run and figure to be fine through the early portion of a new season.

“I can't really make a valid comment,” Keldon Johnson said of Harris' injury.

“I don't really know the extent of what's going on, but Tobias has been amazing for us,” the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year continued. “He's a great guy. That veteran presence, he's so stoic. Having him around, he blends right in with the group.”

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Spurs forward Julian Champagnie could feel the direct effects of Harris' absence in the short team. The sharpshooter moved into the starting lineup last winter, spurring a stretch that saw the Silver and Black win every game in February before beating every Western Conference opponent in the playoffs.

“That's how it goes,” Champagnie said. “Obviously, we need him healthy. He's a big part of our team. New piece, big part, so we'll have to just adjust to him not being here and then adjust to him getting back. Throughout the year, I'm sure that there'll be more (injuries). So we'll just have to figure it out.”

“I feel like he brings that great energy, and I'm glad to have him around,” Johnson added. “I know he'll be back as soon as possible and we'll welcome him back with open arms. What we've seen from him so far has been great. He's been really good for us.”

Harris played in 63 games last season with the Detroit Pistons, but has appeared in at least 70 contests every year since 2021, when he suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers.