Derrick Rose Fractured A Bone In His Face At Practice And Will Undergo Surgery

This may prove a minor blip in what could still be the season Derrick Rose regains his dominant form of the past. Considering the checkered injury history of the Chicago Bulls superstar, though, that line of thinking seems wildly optimistic.

The Bulls announced on Tuesday that Rose sustained an orbital fracture during the first practice of training camp and will require surgery.

Bulls Guard Derrick Rose was struck in the face by an elbow during today’s practice. He was taken by the Bulls medical staff to Rush University Medical Center for testing and evaluation which determined he sustained a left orbital fracture. After consultation with several specialists, it has been determined that he will require a surgical procedure, which will take place tomorrow at Rush. After the procedure, a timetable for return to play will be determined.

He reportedly suffered the injury during a scrimmage and immediately exited play.

This is the fourth major procedure Rose will have undergone since originally tearing his ACL in 2012.

Despite no current timeline for the 2011 MVP’s return to the court, it certainly bears mentioning that other marquee players have suffered a similar injury and returned to competition just shortly after surgery. Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook missed just a single game following the fracture of his right cheek last February, while Mike Conley made a dramatic return to the lineup 10 days after his own facial fracture last spring and led the Memphis Grizzlies to a playoff win over the Golden State Warriors.

Every injury is different, however, as is every athlete’s period for recovery from going under the knife. There’s no way to say for sure that Rose’s absence will be just as brief as Conley’s, let alone Westbrook’s – only time will tell.

For now, neither the Bulls nor their fans should panic; their point guard will likely be back on the floor before the regular season tips off in late October. The sunny disposition gleaned from the first summer Rose had yet to spend in rehabilitation since 2012, though, has certainly lost much of its luster.

We’ll keep you updated as information on Rose’s status becomes available.

[Via Bulls]

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