Luol Deng Injury: Updates on Bulls F's Hamstring

Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng will be forced to miss time to recover from an injury to his hamstring, according to Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky.

"

Deng strained right hamstring questionable to return

— chuck swirsky (@swirsk054) January 19, 2013"

UPDATE: Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 7:39 p.m. ET by Justin Onslow

Deng will miss yet another game tonight, this time against the Pistons as a result of an injured hamstring. Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky reported he is out tonight:

"

Deng a no go

— chuck swirsky (@swirsk054) January 24, 2013"

---End of update---

UPDATE: Monday, Jan. 21, at 8:15 p.m. ET by Eric Ball

Despite a nationally televised game against the Lakers on tap tonight, the Bulls are still playing it safe with Deng. Mike Trudell of Lakers.com is reporting that he will miss Monday night's matchup against LA:

"

Luol Deng is out tonight (hamstring) for Chicago. Jimmy Butler will start in his place.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 22, 2013"

---End of update---

UPDATE: Saturday, Jan. 19, at 6:46 p.m. ET by Alex Ballentine

The Bulls have announced that Deng will be held out of Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. According to Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago, Deng is considered day-to-day and has not had an MRI on his hamstring at this time. 

"

Per Thibodeau, Deng is out tonight vs. #Grizzlies with a strained right hamstring. #MEMvsCHI

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 19, 2013"

"

Thibs said Deng didn't get an MRI and is day to day with a lower body injury. He was channeling his inner hockey coach.

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 19, 2013"

---End of update---

Deng had logged 26 minutes and registered a mere three points on 1-of-6 shooting with one rebound and one steal before being taken out of the game. According to the Chicago Tribune, Deng was considered a game-time decision against Boston but ultimately was placed in the starting lineup.

The original injury to the hamstring occurred in the first quarter of the team's game against Washington. 

If Deng has in fact re-aggravated the injury, they may regret rushing him back into the starting lineup. The forward leads the team in scoring at 17.8 points per game and has been the go-to guy for the Bulls offense.

With Deng out of the lineup, second-year small forward Jimmy Butler would be the next player on the depth chart at the position. Butler was the team’s second-round draft choice in 2011 out of Marquette. He is currently averaging 17 minutes per game with 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Despite the nagging injury, Deng has started all 37 of the team’s games.

With Deng leading the way the Bulls are 22-15 and fourth in the Eastern Conference right now.

The extent of the injury is unknown at this time, but the loss of Deng could be a big blow to a Bulls team that is still without Derrick Rose.