Rose off crutches; Butler back from thigh injury

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose will likely start traveling with the team in the next several weeks, according to his head coach Tom Thibodeau. AP

CHICAGO – Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose is off crutches, the next step as he recovers from his latest season-ending knee injury.

Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start traveling with the team in the next few weeks.

Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. He sat out last year while recovering from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

In other injury news, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler was back in the lineup against Washington on Monday after missing a game because of a left thigh injury.