2 min read • January 13, 2022
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The Bulls announced on Thursday they have diagnosed forward Derrick Jones Jr. with a "significant" bone bruise in his right knee after an MRI showed no structural damage.
This is good news, as there was warranted initial concern for an ACL issue after the injury Wednesday night.
Jones Jr. is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, but previous history points to him possibly coming back earlier: In 2019, the 24-year-old suffered a similar injury in his right knee that was diagnosed as multiple bone bruises. He was projected to miss 6 weeks, but returned after only 3.5 weeks and finished the season with no complications.
Regardless of the length of his absence, Chicago adds another wing to its growing injured list.
The problems began with second-year starting forward Patrick Williams, who suffered torn ligaments in his right wrist and is expected to miss the entire regular season.
Javonte Green, who stepped in for Williams, and Alex Caruso are also both out, with Caruso being placed in health and safety protocols on Jan. 5 while he was rehabbing a foot sprain, and Green out for the next 1-3 weeks with a right groin strain. Even reserve forward Tyler Cook is out for a few weeks with an ankle sprain.
The Bulls remain first in the East with a 27-12 record, but are about to embark on a tough 5-game stretch against the Warriors, Celtics, Grizzlies, Cavaliers, and Bucks.
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