What is a soleus strain?
A soleus strain is an injury to the soleus, a flat muscle in the back of the lower leg, below the calf muscles. It is a type of muscle strain, meaning fibers in the muscle are stretched or torn. Lakers guard Collin Sexton is currently dealing with one in his right leg.
Why it's in the news
Collin Sexton was ruled out of the Lakers' 2026-27 season opener with a right soleus strain, and he had not yet played a game for the team. Several other Lakers players were also sidelined for the opener.
- Collin Sexton — Sexton ruled out of Lakers season opener with calf strain
Background
A strain is an injury to a muscle or the tendon attached to it. The soleus sits deep behind the gastrocnemius, the larger calf muscle, and helps the foot push off the ground when walking or running. Because it works with the calf muscles, it is grouped with them in discussions of calf injuries.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed Collin Sexton in the offseason to add ball-handling and scoring off the bench. He is in his ninth NBA season. Sources state that he has a right soleus strain and was ruled out of the Lakers' season opener against the Golden State Warriors. He had been listed as questionable before the game and missed all five games of the NBA preseason.
The Lakers started the 2026-27 season with several players sidelined. Rookie Cameron Carr was ruled out with a right oblique strain, and second-year forward Adou Thiero was out with a left knee effusion. Sources describe Carr as day-to-day. Sexton's absence means the Lakers' newest guard has not yet made his debut for the team.
What people are asking
Which player has a soleus strain in the news?
Lakers guard Collin Sexton has a right soleus strain. He was ruled out of the team's season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Where is the soleus muscle?
The soleus is a flat muscle in the back of the lower leg, located beneath the larger calf muscle.
Has Collin Sexton played for the Lakers yet?
Not as of the season opener. Sources state he was ruled out and had missed all five preseason games.