Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, sidelined since mid-August with a right calf strain, said he could rejoin the lineup during the club’s three-game road swing that begins on Nov. 16 or in one of the two home contests that follow against the Nuggets and Trail Blazers.
White and head coach Billy Donovan told reporters the 23-year-old is expected to start full practices next week. The Bulls have a three-day break starting Nov. 13, giving White an opportunity for his first 5-on-5 work since training camp. He is currently limited to 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 drills with teammates and staff.
The injury was initially projected to heal before opening night, but lingering tightness forced White to delay his return. “I practiced a little too long and felt some symptoms,” he explained, noting the setback was minor and did not involve a new strain.
Chicago conducted extensive tests on the calf in light of last season’s run of Achilles injuries around the league. Medical staff determined the strain was mild yet required a cautious recovery timeline. White said he has concentrated on conditioning, adding, “I’ve been running a lot … just trying to build tolerance in my calf.”
Over the past two seasons White has averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 assists, but he is rejoining a squad that has opened the year 6-1 and sits atop the Eastern Conference. Donovan cautioned that the guard will need time to regain rhythm, stressing that missing August workouts, September and October camp, and several weeks of ramp-up means “he’s not going to be at his normal as a player” right away.
White will enter unrestricted free agency next summer. Although the sides did not reach an extension before the season, both he and the organization have indicated they hope to negotiate a new deal once free agency begins.
Source: Hoops Rumors
