Derrick Rose Injured Again, Deja Vu for Bulls Fans

Chicago Bulls fans should be used to hearing something along these lines: “Derrick Rose to undergo surgery after torn meniscus.” This is Rose's third surgery since 2012.

Rose reported pain in his right knee earlier Tuesday. After an MRI, it was confirmed he had a tear in his meniscus. A surgery will be scheduled and a timetable for his return will be determined after the surgery.

So what does this mean for the Bulls? Although this team is built better for this situation than year’s past, the result will likely be the same as the last two years: falling short in the playoffs once again. A team shouldn’t depend on one player, but when that player is as dynamic as Derrick Rose, it is hard to win consistently without them.

Averaging 18.4 points and five assists per game Rose has been up and down throughout the season. Before the All-Star Break, he was starting to look like the Rose of old, but after the break, not so much.

It isn’t fair to speculate on his return without knowing the extent of the injury, but let’s take a look at some recent players with similar injuries. Metta World Peace made a miraculous 12 day recovery of his meniscus surgery. On the flipside, Eric Bledsoe took four months to recover. Chase Budinger was close to four months as well.

Not quite as insightful as you hoped for? With these injuries it is hard to tell but considering Rose’s past, I would bet closer to the longer recovery. That would put him out the rest of the year most likely, playoffs included.

So is there still hope for the Bulls this season then? Sure, there is always hope. But what a blow this is to a team with such high championship aspirations. Coach Tom Thibodeau’s mantra has always been next man up (especially with Derrick Rose injuries), let’s see if he can get better results this time around.