Jamal Crawford will return for Clippers on Monday vs. Jazz

Utah Jazz guards should be on alert and tape their ankles a little extra on Monday night.

Jamal Crawford will return for the Los Angeles Clippers after taking a game off to rest a sore rib. Crawford had been considered doubtful as recently as Sunday and questionable earlier Monday, so his presence in the lineup comes as a minor surprise.

He should resume his role as the second unit's primary weapon. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year scored 38 points in just 54 minutes over the team's first two games, and the offense sputtered some without him on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.

Given the Clippers' guard depth and J.J. Redick's ability to play heavy minutes as a starter, the team may opt to keep Crawford's workload to a minimum on Monday. If he plays significant minutes, the Jazz are ill-equipped to contain him off the bounce, owning the league's 28th-ranked defense through three games.