Ankle injury makes for boring practices

Derrick Rose took the court following Monday's practice at the Berto Center and attempted a few flat-footed jumpers while never exceeding a slow jog. He'll likely need another week to recover from a sore right ankle.

"It's killing me right now," he said. "This is the longest I've sat out for any injury. I want to be out there playing, but they're taking everything with caution. "Seeing them practice, sitting on the sideline - it's boring."

Tyrus Thomas also skipped Monday's workout and he'll likely sit out the two upcoming preseason games against Milwaukee and Minnesota. It's possible he could be back when the Bulls host the Timberwolves on Friday.

Both Rose and Thomas were injured in the Oct. 2 preseason opener at Indiana.

"It's tough to have anybody out, especially a point guard," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We need to get as much practice time and continuity as we possibly can at this time."

Skiles previews Pistons: Before facing the Bulls in Green Bay last weekend, Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles was asked his impressions of Ben Gordon and Detroit's new guard-heavy lineup. The Bucks lost to the Pistons 113-104 last week while Gordon, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum combined for 68 points.

"We had a hard time with Ben," Skiles said. "Stuckey and Bynum, they put the pressure on you off the dribble. You have to stay in front of them and they're constantly on the attack. Everybody knows what Ben can do, then they put Tayshaun (Prince) out there and Rip (Hamilton). We had great difficulty the other night guarding them."

Bull horns: The Iowa Energy, D-League affiliate of the Bulls, will hold an open player tryout on Oct. 24 at the Prairie Stone Sports and Wellness Center in Hoffman Estates. To register, visit www.IowaNBA.com. Cost is $125 if registered by Oct. 15. - A day before the preseason home opener, Bulls players met fans and passed out schedules Monday afternoon at Water Tower Place.