Derrick Rose, who recently began practicing with the Chicago Bulls, spurring optimism of an imminent return, said Monday that he’s “far away” from stepping onto the court during games.
The ACL rehabilitation for the former NBA MVP has gone well, according to the team. He has been participating in full-contact practices, and some have guessed he would be ready to play again after the all-star break this weekend.
Not so fast, Rose told USA TODAY Sports.
“I don’t have a set date,” Rose told the newspaper. “I’m not coming back until I’m 110 percent. Who knows when that can be? It can be within a couple of weeks. It could be next year. It could be any day. It could be any time. It’s just that I’m not coming back until I’m ready.”
Asked to gauge where he was, Rose estimated “in the high 80s.”
During this process, Rose, 24, has gained 10 p0unds of muscle.
Bulls management has been steadfast in maintaining that Rose will be allowed to return only when his risk of further injury is that of any other player.
Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf watched with anxiety as Michael Jordan came back during the end of his second season after breaking his foot. Jordan did not re-injure himself, but, in retrospect, Reinsdorf said he would do it differently and will not run that risk with Rose, who tore his left ACL on April 28 in the first game of the Bulls’ opening-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rose underwent surgery on May 12, and the prognosis was for eight to 12 months of rehabilitation.
