Patrick Williams to miss two weeks because of acute bone edema

A Chicago Bulls season marked by injuries to several key players added another chapter on Tuesday when the team announced Patrick Williams would be missing at least two weeks because of an acute bone edema in his left foot.

The Bulls are already playing without All-Star guard Zach LaVine and reliable forward Torrey Craig, who are dealing with separate injuries. Williams’ injury will push the Bulls to find solutions to their roster problem while navigating a stretch without numerous rotation players.

Injury Update: Patrick Williams has been diagnosed with acute bone edema in his left foot.

He will immediately begin a period of active rest and be reassessed in approximately two weeks.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 30, 2024

No timetable for a return

Williams will undergo a long process to heal, rehabilitate, and ramp up for a return to the court. According to Bulls insider K.C. Johnson, Williams’ diagnosis means fluid has been found in his bone marrow.

The team will place the fourth-year forward on active rest, after which he’ll be evaluated to determine the next steps. The best-case scenario is for the Florida State product to check all the boxes and return for the Bulls’ first game after the All-Star break—a match against the Boston Celtics on February 22.

“That's the hope. There is another week after the break. I'm sure there will be a lot of treatment. But there's no timetable. And there will have to be a ramp-up period to see how he responds after he gets time off,” Donovan said.

“He's got some swelling in his foot. We're going to wait a few weeks to see how well they can get it calmed down. He had been nursing that for several games and it became too uncomfortable to play.”

Craig will return soon

With these developments, Donovan will be forced to execute some roster gymnastics and has already given young players like Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry minutes. The return of Craig — who has been out since December 16 due to a plantar fascia injury— to the lineup would also benefit the Bulls.

Billy Donovan said Torrey Craig is “moving closer and closer to playing.” Won’t play in B2B. So Saturday is first opportunity.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 30, 2024

No timetable for a return

Craig will return soon

Chicago Bulls running out of bodies as Dalen Terry suffers an ankle injury