Derrick Rose has rejoined the Chicago Bulls in practice though it remains unsure if the former NBA MVP will be given clearance to join physical contact practices.
Rose is coming off surgery for a fractured left orbital bone last September 30 and the Bulls guard’s face is still swollen. He is expected to be fitted in a mask to provide extra protection.
Rose is limited to running and non-contact activities but head coach Fred Hoiberg remains hopeful that Rose would be given the clearance to do more and rejoin the team soon.
"He still isn't able to do anything as far as court work," Hoiberg said. "Hopefully he'll get clearance in the next couple days to at least get a sweat going and get a little bit of running.
According to Hoiberg, Rose just wanted to get out of the house and avoid cabin fever though he is expected to be more of a spectator for the meantime.
"It's still very swollen, but he's definitely making progress from when I saw him a week ago," Hoiberg said via the Chicago Tribune.
Rose is still hampered by blurry vision which could mean that the star guard may not be fully ready to participate with his teammates.
The setback was a big blow for Rose who was hoping to enter the regular season healthy for a change. In the past years, Rose was hampered by knee problems and has struggled to start a season healthy.
With Rose obviously still not 100% ready as far as his vision is concerned, Hoiberg and his assistants continue to review films with him just as they did when Rose first incurred the injury.
Rose watched from the locker room when the Bulls lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, 123-115.
The Chicago Bulls will open their regular season on October 28 when they play host to the visiting Lebron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers and it remains to be seen if Rose will get clearance to play on that day.
Aside from Rose, other players in sick bay include Joakim Noah (knee stiffness), Taj Gibson (ankle) and Mike Dunleavy Jr. (back).
There is a chance that Noah and Gibson could return for the Bulls upcoming preseason matches, meaning they will likely be good to go by the time the Bulls open their 2015-16 campaign.
Dunleavy on the other hand has been ruled out 8 to 10 weeks since undergoing back surgery last month. If all goes well, he could return by Christmas Day though he did mention that he will return when he feels is ready.
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