Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell suffered a head injury during the first quarter of his team's game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17. After the game, Mitchell was placed in the league's concussion protocols, where he has remained for the past four games. However, with games coming up this weekend on Friday and Saturday, the Jazz received a huge Mitchell update, via Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

That's an encouraging Donovan Mitchell update, even as the Jazz star remains in the league's concussion protocols. Utah sure could use their star guard, as the team has gone 1-3 in their last four games with Mitchell on the sidelines.

Mitchell has been excellent for the Jazz this year, as he has averaged 25.5 points, 5.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and a career-high 1.6 steals per game.

Per the NBA, the concussion protocols require a player to successfully complete the return-to-participation exertion process. Basically, it involves a player gradually increasing their activity while being evaluated along the way.

The NBA notes that no two cases of a concussion are the same and that the recovery times vary, which makes sense when considering Mitchell's situation.

With any luck, the Jazz will have Donovan Mitchell back in the lineup this weekend.