Derrick Rose’s Back Problems: Muscular, Not Structural


Derrick Rose continues to be listed as day-to-day with a sore back, but after consulting with a specialist, it’s been determined that his issues aren’t structural. From the Chicago Tribune: “Derrick Rose’s back issues have been giving fans’ lungs a workout. But now it’s time to exhale after the specialist Rose saw on Monday confirmed the Bulls’ original diagnosis of lower back spasms. That means the injury is muscular, not structural, and Rose will continue to treat it with massages, electrical stimulation and rest. Officially, Rose is day-to-day as the Bulls begin a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Kings. ‘When we all feel he feels well enough to play, he’ll be back out there,’ general manager Gar Forman said. ‘He could respond overnight. It could be a couple days. When it’s muscular, you don’t know. But this is positive.’ Rose has missed two straight games with the injury, which he said began on Jan. 30 in Washington. Before missing the last two games, the injury limited Rose to 22 minutes and just over 10 in the previous two contests. On Sunday in Boston, Rose admitted the back had worsened. However, he said he endured a similar situation in high school that cleared up quickly on its own. ‘Derrick is a competitor and always wants to play,’ Forman said. ‘We’ll be smart about this, but there’s a difference between whether a player is hurting and injured. If a guy is hurting, obviously they have to make a determination on how much they feel they can do. If a player is injured and could do greater harm, we’re not ever going to put him out there.'”