Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose is scheduled to rejoin the Chicago Bulls soon, re-assuming the role he had for the entire 2012-13 season, a reliable source stated earlier this week.

Rose, who underwent another surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee after injuring it in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 22, is expected to be a fixture on the Bulls bench by mid-January.

Already coming off a long rehab after tearing his ACL in his left knee in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the All-Star guard struggled to recapture his old groove as he averaged just 15.9 points and 4.3 assists in 10 games this season.

According to head coach Tom Thibodeau in a recent interview with Chicago Sun-Times' Joe Cowley, Rose is set to begin his rehab by plunging into the pool first.

"Well, he can lift upper-body, do all his rehab stuff, so he is starting to move around a little bit now," the Bulls head coach said. "He can go in the pool."

Thibodeau said Rose is doing pretty well after undergoing surgery at Rush University Medical Center. The Bulls guard is declared out for the remainder of the season, though he has not ruled out a possible comeback in late April if the Bulls manage to squeak into the playoffs.  

"He's doing fine, coming along,'' Thibodeau added. "He's on a crutch, he's got his brace, so I don't want him sitting there like that [now].

Cautious on Injury

Already hampered by multiple injuries early this season, Bulls players are trying to be proactive in protecting themselves against injuries. Bulls forward Luol Deng said they are playing smarter that they ever were in previous years.   

"Yeah, I think we learned from the past,'' said Deng (Achilles tendon), who missed the game against the Mavericks. "I think the players, too. We talk to each other. In the past, I would've been out there playing, then missed another month or so."

"And I really don't want to do that. And the other thing is, I don't want to keep coming in and out. I think that's the last thing we need. We're trying to get going. But, definitely, I think we're being smarter this year."

The Bulls are very much in playoff contention despite a 13-18 record in a wide-open Eastern Conference race.