Rodney Stuckey cleared for ‘limited’ action, no contact

Keith Langlois of Pistons.com tweeted at 1:09 PM this message:

Stuckey cleared for "limited basketball activities" and will be monitored.

Presumably this means that he can resume practicing with the team, but has not yet been cleared to play. So we will still have to wait for a determination about his availability to play in Detroit’s opening game on Wed., Oct. 30, against the Washington Wizards.

Stuckey had surgery on his right thumb, which was broken when he caught it in a car door, on Fri., Oct. 11. He has been wearing a splint since then, and was re-examined by doctors on Friday. Stuckey is right-handed.

Prior to his injury on Oct. 9, coach Mo Cheeks had lauded Stuckey for his defensive efforts, indicating he would have a major role in the Pistons backcourt this season. He played 30 minutes in Detroit’s opening preseason contest with Maccabi Haifa, scoring five points and handing out three assists. While he did not start, he played the most minutes of any Piston that night.

Since Brandon Jennings has also been missing from the lineup due to a fractured jaw that was wired shut, Detroit has relied heavily on rookies Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Peyton Siva in the last seven preseason games. They may still be relied upon in the team’s home opener, but it sounds like Stuckey will be returning to action soon.

Update, courtesy of Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News:

"Everything’s healing good. (I’ll) just take it day by day," Stuckey said. "Cleared to do limited basketball stuff. Really no contact as of now. Just doing drills and stuff. Doing 5 on 5 with the guys, can’t do that now. The running drills, the offensive and defensive stuff, I’m doing it."

On whether he can return for the opener:

“That’s the goal. Not saying I will be (ready) but that’s the ultimate goal,” Stuckey said. “Like I said, day by day, see how it feels and hopefully I’ll be good.”