Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is "on track" to return Friday against the Pistons.

Tom Thibodeau said Hamilton was "very close" after taking contact for the first time in practice on Wednesday, so it's conceivable he'll be ready to return on Friday. It's unclear if he'll be on some sort of minutes limit as he works his way back into the fold, but owners in standard-sized leagues can do better given how much time Hamilton has had off.

Richard Hamilton (right shoulder) took contact during Wednesday's shootaround for the first time since March 5th, but he will not play vs. the Hawks.

"He's very close," said Tom Thibodeau. "His legs are great, so he's over all those injuries. We want to make sure the strength is there in the shoulder." There's a good chance he'll play in Friday's game vs. Detroit, but he's not worth grabbing since he might come off the bench, he might have a medical minute-limit, and he admitted that he still won't be pain-free.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) went through a full contact practice and is a real game-time decision against the Hawks.

This isn't one of those scenarios where Tom Thibodeau says Hamilton is a game-time decision but he doesn't play, and it sounds like the veteran is making real progress. K.C. Johnson writes that Hamilton is "close either way," so his return should be on the horizon even if it doesn't come against the Hawks.

Tom Thibodeau called Richard Hamilton's (shoulder) progress "encouraging."

Thibs also said that his return will be a "big plus" for the Bulls, but that is rather obvious. There remains no timetable for his return, but it sounds like he's inching closer to seeing the court again. He's missed 34 of 51 games this year. Ronnie Brewer will continue to start in his place.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is not expected to play Monday.

The Bulls are calling Hamilton and Derrick Rose (groin) game-time calls, but that's code for "will not play." Hamilton hasn't returned to a full-contact practice yet.

Rip Hamilton (shoulder) will not return to action on Saturday.

Rip has been shooting around lately, and even went through a non-contact practice, but there's no clear date for his return. He has missed 33 games this season, and remains 'day-to-day'.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) participated in full, non-contact practice but is doubtful to play on Saturday.

Hamilton has not played since March 5 and the Bulls won't bring him back until he's ready. The veteran has appeared in just 16 games this season and Chicago is far more concerned with having him available for the postseason. He's averaging 11.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season, but he's been impossible to rely upon due to his constant injuries.

Richard Hamilton returned to action on Thursday March 22.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is "slowly working his way back," but acknowledged that the pain is "still there."

"Getting better every day," said Hamilton. "I think that's the key thing that we want, to get better every day and not have any setbacks and we've been doing that so far." Hamilton is now able to lift his hand over his head after being unable to do so, but as long as the pain remains, he's not going to see the court. The Bulls won't rush him back, and owners shouldn't bank on him returning in the regular season.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) said that he can lift his right arm over his head on Monday.

We'll get a more accurate report either tonight or tomorrow morning, but either way we're not banking on Rip's return before the playoffs. Ronnie Brewer scored three points on 1-of-4 shooting with five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block over 23 minutes in tonight's laugher of a game, and deserves consideration as a jack-of-all-trades type player in Roto leagues.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is making progress in his return.

Hamilton won't play Friday, but he is getting better. "Rip is moving along. He's doing more activity now," Tom Thibodeau said. There remains no firm timetable for the veteran shooting guard to return to the lineup.

Doctors have told Richard Hamilton (shoulder) that it will take one month for his sprain to fully heal.

"I don't think it's going to take me that long," Hamilton said. Regardless, Tom Thibodeau previously acknowledged that Hamilton is still "a ways away" from returning and the Bulls won't rush the veteran back with how banged up he's been this season. Ronnie Brewer will continue to start in his place with Kyle Korver also seeing increased minutes off the bench.

Coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed that Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is still "a ways away."

Hamilton won't play against the Magic on Thursday and is staring at yet another extended absence. He can't even lift his arm without pain right now and the damage is on his shooting side. Backup Ronnie Brewer has averaged 8.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 28 starts this season.

Rip Hamilton (shoulder) is not expected back anytime soon.

"I'm just trying to lift my arm," said Hamilton. "Aint no miracle going to happen tomorrow...I'm just trying to get the swelling out, get my range of motion back. It's going to be a minute." The Bulls won't rush the veteran back as he has dealt with a myriad of injuries all season. Ronnie Brewer should continue to start in his place.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is in a sling and said that he'll be out for "a bit."

Hamilton was diagnosed with a mild sprain, but the Bulls won't take any chances. Hamilton has been banged up all season and Chicago needs him for the stretch run. In 25 games as a starting guard, Ronnie Brewer, Hamilton's likely replacement is averaging just 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

Richard Hamilton has been diagnosed with a mild sprain of his right shoulder and is listed as day-to-day.

It's good news for the Bulls and owners as tests showed no separation. The bad news is that it's yet another nick on Hamilton's banged-up body and the damage is on his shooting side. The 34-year-old has appeared in just 16 of 40 games this season due to various muscle strains and pulls. Ronnie Brewer will start for as long as Hamilton is out this time.

Richard Hamilton (shoulder) left the arena sporting a sling.

Hamilton reportedly injured the "top" of his shoulder and will be reexamined on Tuesday. The veteran was just getting healthy and back into the groove after a groin injury had him sidelined, and now it sounds like he'll be out for a stretch of time once again. Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver will each see a boost in minutes while Hamilton is out.

Rip Hamilton's shoulder injury is more than a stinger, and it's possible he could be shutdown again with the injury.

Hamilton left Monday's win one minute into the game after running into a Roy Hibbert screen. Hamilton was said to have difficulty afterward even lifting his right arm as a result. Hall of Famer Sam Smith wonders if the Bulls will re-sign Mike James if Hamilton misses time with the injury, and it looks like he will. He wasn't worth owning in most leagues since he's been injured for much of the season, but was working his way back onto the fantasy landscape. Ronnie Brewer will be worth a look if Hamilton is going to be out for a long period.

Coach Tom Thibodeau had hoped that Richard Hamilton just suffered a shoulder stinger in Monday's game, but that wasn't the case.

"He tried to shake it off," said Thibodeau. "At first, I thought it might be a stinger. But that wasn't the case." We're still searching for reports that are less vague, but this doesn't exactly sound like a minor injury. Given Hamilton's already low upside, owners should be willing to drop here unless the wire is bare.

Rip Hamilton left Monday's game after banging his shoulder on a Roy Hibbert screen.

He went to the locker room and just hasn't been able to get or stay healthy this season. Consider him day-to-day until we have more information.