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4-6 More Weeks Of Rehab Recommended For Bulls' Mike Dunleavy

(CBS) Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy is expected to need at least four to six more weeks of rehab after a recent setback in his attempted return from a Sept. 25 back surgery, according to reports.

Dunleavy saw a back specialist earlier this week who recommended that he have four to six more weeks of rehab before conducting on-court work, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported. What that means for a timeline for a return to game action is still anyone's guess.

"We're just going to put him back on a rehab schedule," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said after Friday's practice. "We don't have a timeframe at this point. Just got to get better and continue to make progress every day."

Dunleavy averaged 9.4 points in 2014-'15 while starting 63 games. He shot nearly 41 percent from 3-point range and was solid defensively.

In other Bulls injury news, guard Kirk Hinrich (hip) participated in most of Friday's practice and is expected back for Saturday's home game against the Hornets, Hoiberg said. Hinrich has missed the past two games.

Forward Nikola Mirotic didn't practice Friday as he goes through the league's concussion protocol. He left Wednesday's win against the Nuggets after taking an elbow to the face and didn't return.

"He's just got to go through some tests," Hoiberg said. "He feels better. He feels a lot better.

"It'll be a decision they make tomorrow. We're not sure on Niko's status yet."

Part of passing the concussion protocol involves a player showing no symptoms whatsoever as they do steps of increasing exertion, such as biking, jogging and non-contact drills. The decision to clear a player to return is made by the team's physician in consultation with an independent doctor who is the director of the league's concussion program.

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