The Chicago Bull have played valiantly this season standing at a 8-7 record without All-Star point guard Derrick Rose, but now new reports suggest that Rose may not be too far along from a return.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Rose may begin to take part in team practices within a few weeks.

''That's the belief that a couple of [the Bulls'] players are under,'' the source said.

With Rose being available to participate in team practices, there still lies the question on when he'll be able to return to the court for regular season games.

Rose tore the ACL in his left knee on April 28. Using Vikings RB Adrian Peterson's nine-month return as a comparison, it's conceivable Rose could be back playing in an NBA game by the end of January.

Though it's been widely reported that a return by the All-Star break was likely, a late January return would be the best case scenario for the team, with an early March return being a more cautious outcome of the three.

Rose has been cutting on the knee for at least two weeks and was seen running sprinting drills at the Berto Center after the Monday practice.

Though this is very encouraging news for the Bulls and their fans, Rose still has to face many other hurdles before the team can truly commit to a return date.

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