While Matt Harpring continues to rehab his surgically repaired and subsequently infected right ankle, the Jazz — at least for now — are moving along without him.

"He's not here," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said when the Jazz were in Portland over the weekend for Sunday's preseason win over the Trail Blazers.

"You have to cross him off until he comes back, then worry about it when he comes back," Sloan added. "I'm too old to worry about that all night long."

Sloan did say Harpring's "doing pretty well" and that "his leg's strong."

But the Jazz have no idea if their veteran small forward will be available for their Oct. 29 regular-season opener against the Denver Nuggets, and with that in mind they have been making contingency plans — including considering starting reserve swingman C.J. Miles at small forward and bringing usual starter Andrei Kirilenko off the bench.

Harpring hasn't played or practiced with the team since training camp opened late last month.

He didn't make the trip to Portland and won't travel with the team when it plays Wednesday at Denver and twice later in the week against Chicago in Illinois.

"Since we play three games in four days," Sloan said, "it probably makes more sense for him to stay home and (continue rehabbing)."

The 32-year-old Harpring has played 10 NBA seasons, including six in Utah.

ALUMNI UPDATE: Even with center Jason Collins out because of elbow surgery following an offseason golf-cart accident that also injured twin brother Jarron Collins (elbow tendinitis) of the Jazz, the Minnesota Timberwolves have released ex-Jazz and former BYU big man Rafael Araujo.

According to Monday's St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press, Araujo "is expected to sign a guaranteed contract to play in Europe."

He played last season in Russia.

ANTHEM TRYOUTS: The Jazz will hold national anthem performer tryouts for the regular season from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday at EnergySolutions Arena.

The audition is open to the public, including individuals and/or groups. Preferred style is a cappella, and in a traditional version with little personal musical interpretation.

Audition order is on a first-come, first-served basis, with assigned audition numbers given upon registration.

For more information, including options for those who can't attend Friday, call Chantay Davies at (801) 325-2589.