Derrick Rose Expected To Resume Basketball Activities In 2 Weeks
By Cody Westerlund--
(CBS) Bulls point guard Derrick Rose's surgery Wednesday on a left orbital fracture went as expected, and he's expected to return to basketball activities in two weeks, it announced late in the afternoon.
Earlier Wednesday, coach Fred Hoiberg indicated he was hopeful that Rose could play in the Oct. 27 season opener, when the Bulls host the Cavaliers at the United Center.
"He's still in a good place," Hoiberg said. "It's just getting through this. The great thing is it's not structural damage that's going to keep him out. As soon as he's healed and ready to go, he'll get back in there 100 percent."
Bulls big man Joakim Noah exchanged texts with Rose on Tuesday and said he was in "good" spirits -- "as good as he can be."
"He'll be back in no time," Noah said.
Rose will still be at practice and learning the team's new system when he can't practice, Hoiberg added. It's not yet clear how much activity Rose will be able to do as he initially starts his recovery.
If Rose returns to basketball activities in two weeks, there would still be three preseason games left for him to get action in.
Hoiberg wasn't sure if Rose will wear a protective mask upon his return. Hoiberg didn't anticipate any minutes restriction when Rose did come back healthy.
Rose suffered the injury when he took an elbow from a teammate in Tuesday's season-opening practice. It came on a baseline drive when he made a kickout to the corner and one of Chicago's big men caught him with an elbow while challenging him. It marked the first practice in the Hoiberg era, though he remained upbeat after the rocky start.
"We got a job to do," Hoiberg said. "We can't hang our heads and feel sorry for ourselves. It's about getting these guys prepared ... Injuries are a part of this game."
Rose has played in just 100 regular-season games over the past four years for Chicago, as he's undergone three knee surgeries and also suffered from more minor injuries to his hamstring and ankles.
Aaron Brooks, Kirk Hinrich and E'Twaun Moore will be asked to handle bigger roles if Rose misses any regular-season games.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.