Hornets’ first-round draft pick Malik Monk missed the entirety of the NBA summer league in July with an ankle injury he suffered during the draft workout process, and he still hasn’t recovered from it. Monk was expected to be out for a month, but Coach Steve Clifford is now calling the injury “significant,” according to the Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell.

Clifford explained that Monk couldn’t complete an optional workout that wasn’t physically demanding. There’s no update on whether this means he could miss the start of the season, which is just six weeks away, but it isn’t a good sign.

The No. 11 overall pick isn’t expected to play a large role for the team, but should fill in a key bench role behind Nicolas Batum. Monk was a dynamic, though streaky, shooter for the Kentucky Wildcats. He and Kemba Walker could make for a potent backcourt, and Charlotte will also welcome Dwight Howard to the mix this season. There are playoff aspirations if the pieces fit.

But nobody knows quite what Monk’s status is just yet.