NEWSLETTER
The Chandler Hutchison injury saga continues.
After the Bulls backup forward suffered a hamstring injury prior to Training Camp, the timetable for his return became a little sketchy. The strain became more serious than initially thought after Hutchison went on to miss the entirety of Training Camp/preseason, but things were finally looking up after he was sent to work out with the Windy City Bulls earlier this week.
Chicago called Hutchison back up only two days ago, and the plan appeared to be to have him back on the court for tonight’s game against the Pistons.
Indeed, NBC Sports Chicago provided an update on Hutchison this Tuesday, where the second-year player had only positive words about his health.
“It’s feeling good. Limits have been off the for the last couple days,” Hutchison said. “They’ve kind of tailored the practice plan to things I really need to do like going up and down full court, 5 on 5, and I mean it’s been great. Full practice tomorrow (Thursday) with the Bulls … If everything goes good, what I’ve communicated with our training staff is that we’re going to give it a shot on Friday.”
However, Hutchison’s expected return is now even further away, with K.C. Johnson reporting that there is, once again, no timetable for his return.
Boylen said the Bulls “have slowed (Hutchison) down a little.” Wouldn’t admit to setback. But clear disappointment emanating from Boylen regarding Hutch’s hamstring.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 1, 2019
Sure sounds like a setback to me.
Here’s Boylen’s full quote from NBC Sports Chicago’s article: “Hutch is still working his way through. Don’t have anything new to report on that. We’ll see how that plays out,” Boylen said following Friday’s morning shootaround. “Hopefully, he can practice (Saturday) with us. Hopefully we can move forward with it. Obviously, it’s a long process and it’s frustrating for him and for us. But we have hope.”
Again, Hutchison’s health has been rather mysterious, with a re-straining of his hamstring reportedly serving as a setback a couple of weeks ago. Could it have happened again? While Johnson states Boylen wouldn’t admit to a setback in his tweet, it sure isn’t great to read the clear disappointment in his voice.
Considering the Bulls are facing one heck of an ugly start (and I feel like a broken record saying this), Hutchison really could provide at least a small boost to the team’s horrid defense and rebounding. I totally understand wanting to slow him down if he isn’t there yet (you don’t want to run the risk of having him out even longer), but this certainly has been another frustrating storyline to follow early-on this season.
