Deng out "a while", Gibson likely out Thursday Options

[Balta1701-B]

This ought to be fun. Can Derrick Rose single handedly beat any team in the league? We're about to find out.

The Bulls announced Wednesday that forward Luol Deng (strained right calf) will be out "a while" and figures to miss at least two games after an MRI this morning confirmed the injury.

"He has a little calf issue, a little strain," coach Vinny Del Negro said of Deng. "We'll see how he feels, but I think he's gonna be out for a while. I don't know how long."

Also, rookie Taj Gibson is questionable for Thursday's game against the Orlando Magic with plantar fasciitis in both feet. Gibson has been playing with the injury since training camp, but was noticeably hampered in Tuesday's loss against the Utah Jazz. He was scoreless with one rebound before fouling out in 12 minutes.

"I don't know yet," Del Negro said when asked if Gibson would play against the Magic. "His plantar fasciitis was really acting up and he was sore and I sat him today.

"We really have to find some bodies. Maybe we'll just play small tomorrow. Real small. I don't know yet. But it's hard to do that when you have that guy in the middle down in Orlando."

I want to see Rose guarding Howard.