Mehmet Okur admitted that he is having a hard time going left due to his surgically-repaired Achilles' tendon.

Okur's actual Achilles is fully healed, but his calf muscles are so weak that he can't really jump off his right leg. This is the same kind of problem that Elton Brand had after his Achilles' repair, and he still isn't back to full strength three years later. Okur is a long ways off from a significant role.

Updating an earlier item, Mehmet Okur (Achilles) made it through a full practice on Tuesday.

It's clear that he's making progress, but Jerry Sloan and the Jazz still aren't yet ready to announce a timetable for his return, and Sloan made it clear that "We're not trying to push him." Furthermore, as we've said before, Okur is likely to return to a role off the bench once cleared to play.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles) began running with the team in 5-on-5 drills Tuesday.

Okur's rehab appears to be progressing smoothly, although there is still no timetable on his return. All the Jazz will say is that he's "better." Okur will be eased in at first anyway and will likely settle into a bench role.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles surgery) said Tuesday that there is still no timetable for his return.

Okur plans on increasing his participation in team drills this week. So far, he has just been running ad playing one-on-one. We're still just guessing, but it sounds like December is possible for Okur's return. We expect him to come off the bench behind Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson at that point.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles) said nothing has changed in regards to a timetable for his return.

This sounds nice, but we never got an official timetable on Okur. It sounds like he's progressing toward playing sometime in December. However, with Paul Millsap playing so well, Okur is highly unlikely to reenter the starting lineup. He's only a stash in deep leagues.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles) is not traveling with the Jazz on their current four-game road trip.

Okur is staying behind in Utah to continue his rehab. GM Kevin O'Connor once again Monday declined to even speculate on when Okur will return. Previous reports have the Turkish Tornado back around mid-December.

There is still no timetable on Mehmet Okur's (Achilles) return.

Okur is shooting after practice and reportedly moving well, but we still don't know when he'll be cleared for basketball activities. Previous reports have the Turkish Tornado targeting a December return. He'll likely come off the bench behind Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.

Mehmet Okur reportedly "moved around well" during the Jazz's shootaround on Thursday, and spent his time shooting mid-range jumpers.

He's traveling with the team on the road but nobody in or around the team thinks he'll be back before December. That said, it's good news that he's with the team and actually participating in basketball-related activities.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles) has reached the next stage of his rehab and will travel with the Jazz on their upcoming road trip.

It's a step forward for Okur, but he still isn't close to returning. There is still no timetable for his return and he could spend more time at P3, a high-tech human performance lab in California. A December debut still seems like a best-case scenario.

Mehmet Okur has left the Jazz to rehab his Achilles' tendon in California.

Okur's rehab is going according to plan. He's still expected to be reevaluated in mid-October and we'll be expecting a timetable for his return then. Previous reports have the Turkish Tornado out until January.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles) admitted he is just 70 percent right now.

No one knows exactly when Okur will return, but we'd be surprised if we saw him before December or January. He's still not jumping or running full speed and will need plenty of time to get back in game shape. Okur is expected to be a backup upon his returning, which should have fantasy owners running for the hills.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles) will be re-evaluated by the Jazz in mid-October, according to GM Kevin O'Connor.

Okur's targeted return date is December or January, and even then he may not be close to 100% healthy. Training camp starts in a few weeks, the regular season is six weeks away, and fantasy owners have plenty of reasons to avoid Okur on draft day.

The Jazz are targeting December or January for Mehmet Okur's return from Achilles' surgery, multiple sources tell beat writer Brian Smith.

It's bad news for the Jazz, but it should not be unexpected considering he went under the knife on April 17. Elton Brand had the same surgery and still isn't back to his old self years later, so fantasy owners need to tread very lightly here. The Jazz will lean heavily on Al Jefferson at the center spot and Paul Millsap at power forward until Okur gets back on the floor, which may not be until 20 or 30 games into the season.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles) is rehabbing diligently but may not be ready for the start of the regular season.

David Locke offers a sober analysis of Okur's status: "It is still unclear when he will be ready. The opening of the season seems to be a lot to ask and maybe the more important question is when will he be right on the floor again rather than when will he get on the floor again." The Jazz will lean heavily on Al Jefferson, and possibly Kyrylo Fesenko, until he gets back.

Mehmet Okur has remained in Salt Lake City to rehab his ruptured left Achilles tendon, rather than returning to Turkey.

Okur was encouraged after rehabbing for two months following surgery -- he is stronger and is optimistic that he'll be able to play in the season opener. "It's been three months and right after surgery the doctors and my therapist told me usually regular people, they're going to heal in about six months," Okur said. "It looks like I'm a lot ahead than the regular person, so hopefully first game."

The Jazz must wait until at least September to determine whether Mehmet Okur (Achilles surgery) will be ready for opening night.

Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor recently met with Okur and said he was 'feeling good' about his rehab. Okur's numbers dropped in most areas last season, down to 13.5 points, 1.1 threes, and 7.1 rebounds in under 30 minutes per game.

Mehmet Okur (Achilles surgery) met with doctors on Tuesday and seemed to be in high spirits afterward.

Okur said "I feel good" and gave reporters a thumbs-up as he walked down the hall. He still has months of rehabilitation ahead of him, and his availability for the season opener is not guaranteed.

Mehmet Okur said he may miss training camp and the preseason while recovering from surgery on his ruptured Achilles' tendon.

Okur was told he needs six months of rehab, which is toward the high end of early estimates. He hopes to play in the regular season opener but we don't expect him to be 100% until the season is well underway.

Mehmet Okur had surgery on his ruptured Achilles on Tuesday and is ready to take on a long rehab and recovery process.

He's expected to miss four to six months with the injury, but could easily miss the start of next season. A November or December return seems more likely at this point, but it could be earlier.

Jazz center Mehmet Okur will have surgery on Tuesday to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon.

Okur can begin active rehabilitation in two weeks, at which point a timetable for his return should be established. Early estimates are about six-to-nine months before he can return to game action.