The Bulls announced today that Tyrus Thomas will undergo surgery Saturday to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm.Thomas suffered the injury today while doing pull-ups during a weightlifting session and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Rookie Taj Gibson will start his third straight game for Thomas on Saturday against the Bobcats.
"Tyrus tweaked his arm, and he's pretty sore," coach Vinny Del Negro said after practice and before X-rays revealed the fracture. "It's unfortunate."
Thomas has endured a rough week in which he didn't play in the fourth quarter of a close loss last Sunday in Miami, took exception to Del Negro's criticism during Monday's practice and then battled a nasty flu bug for 48 hours that forced him to miss Tuesday's home victory over the Bucks and Wednesday's practice.
Team physicians Dr. Brian Cole and Dr. John Fernandez will perform Thomas' surgery at Rush University Medical Center, with assistance from Dr. Mark Cohen.
If Thomas misses four weeks, he will be sidelined for 13 games. If he misses six weeks, he will not play in 20 games.
Photo: Tyrus Thomas drives to the basket against Cleveland. (AP)
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Tyrus is a good player and has played good this season. He could have been a 20pts 10reb this season easily, but this injury screwed him and the bulls. Also I think Vinny does not like Tyrus, defiantly something fishy here.
Agree with the others, give the guy a break. Some idiot was questioning whether the Flu was real, prolly the same guy now wondering if the injury is real. Yeah, the Bulls trainers are in on a big conspiracy. The guy is talented, and had a beef with his coach, but when he's on the floor, he hustles and delivers. He just needs consistent minutes, which he doesn't always get. Good opportunity for the rook to see some PT, but expect when he's back from his injury, he'll get a regular rotation. Godspeed on recovery!
Does this mean we'll now get to see the other rookie play some? You know... the one we drafted BEFORE Taj?!
Tyrus Thomas is knucklehead. Always has been, always will be. How the hell do you break arm doing pulling ups? Idiot.
I am just so impressed that Thomas flew commercial. No wonder his arm broke. I guess it is true that the airlines will take an arm or a leg to fly.
I'm a diehard Bulls fan. All those other so called fans should also understand that Tyrus is in the NBA for a reason...Quit ripping on the guy...does he really deserve it? No! I agree with Jake in the Twin Cities...I don't think he has played poorly while he's on the floor, and I also wish him well...Stay true to your team.
Maybe they should go ahead and repair his heart while they're at it.
Fracture a forearm doing a pull-up? I don't think so. Something stinks about that story. But, I could careless about the NBA. The only sports worth watching in the Fall and Winter are the NFL and NHL. Before too long in the NBA, they won't have to wear uniform tops any longer. They will just have to make sure their players all go to the same tatoo artist (assuming tatoos are art).
Hasn't he been around enough to get his act (mental and physical) together?
Tyrus has Not looked good .. He stands around in the corners too much.. Hes Not rebounding like he should.. I think he is better than Gibson will be But he just doesnt hustle all the time and always is a setp late on defense or rebounding.. If only he could hustle like Deng has been lately or like Heinrich.. Typrus is a much better athlete than these 2 but bot of these guys do more for the team because of hustle. I hope he gets healed soon , BUT TYrus you need to show alot more energy when you back!!.
This just figures. He's a talented kid and just coming into his own and now this. Because of all the crap media about him being a baby and all that, this is pretty much a nail in the coffin. Vinnie will certainly not have him in the lineup when he returns. All the haters better hope Taj is the real thing...
Introducing the new PF for the Bulls this year.....Taj Gibson and he will excel. Bad Break for Tyrus but he will be coming off the bench once he returns.
I guess I am the only one who thinks that Tyrus has played well when he is on the court. I also wish him well in getting better.
Don't wish injury on anyone but GOOD RIDDANCE