The Chicago Bulls already have big injury worries, but the news appeared to get worse on Saturday when it was revealed that his right ankle injury apparently has degenerated, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

"Gooden is not as far along as he or we had hoped," Bulls' Coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He still has some swelling in there and some discomfort. He'll get an MRI Monday, but we're not nearly as far along as I had hoped. We need him out there."

The Bulls have been without three of their top players — Gooden, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich — for 46 combined games, led by Hinrich's 28.

"We want to get those guys back because its makes us a better team, but we can't make excuses," guard Larry Hughes said.

Via Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls

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