Derrick Rose Returning This Week? Tom Thibodeau Isn't Sure
(CBS) A day after Bulls point guard Derrick Rose told the ESPN's Lisa Salters that he'd "probably" return this week following a Feb. 27 partial meniscectomy on his right knee, coach Tom Thibodeau wasn't committing to any such timeline for a return.
Rose hasn't expressed a specific return date to Thibodeau, the coach said. Friday marks six weeks since Rose's surgery. The Bulls initially gave him a recovery timetable of four to six weeks.
"Ultimately, he's got to feel comfortable enough to play," Thibodeau said. "That's the big thing, so I think he's getting closer. He hasn't had any setbacks, so those are all positive signs. He's doing everything in practice. His conditioning is a work in progress, but it's improving.
"He's taking it day by day."
Chicago plays at Orlando on Wednesday, at Miami on Thursday and then hosts Philadelphia on Saturday.
Rose's minutes will be limited when he returns from injury. He's averaging 18.4 points per game this season.
"He's been out a long time," Thibodeau said. "The scrimmage part is body on body. That conditioning is entirely different. We're not expecting him to play 35 minutes. Just go out, establish a baseline and run a team. Just him being on the floor helps our team."
"The next step is to play in the games."
In other injury news, reserve guard Kirk Hinrich is "day-to-day" as he deals with a hyperextended left knee, Thibodeau said. Hinrich participated in "most" of practice Monday, Thibodeau added.
"I'm encouraged," Hinrich said. "I hope to be back soon."
Hinrich didn't rule out playing Wednesday. The Bulls are 46-31 and sit in third in the East.
