Bulls' Rose close to full-contact drills in practice

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose works out with the team before an NBA basketball game between the Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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The Associated Press
Published Monday, January 21, 2013 9:19PM EST

CHICAGO - Bulls star point guard Derrick Rose could soon be going through full-contact drills in practice.

Coach Tom Thibodeau says Rose is "very close" to doing just that and it'll be "the next step" in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Asked if it could happen this week, Thibodeau responded, "Yeah -- it could."

Is it scheduled to happen this week? The Bulls' coach repeated, "It could."

Thibodeau says Rose will have to go through full-contact drills "for an extended amount of time" and that he won't be playing after "one or two days of contact."

While Rose inches closer to making his season debut, the Bulls were without Luol Deng (sore right hamstring) Monday against the Los Angeles Lakers.