Foye can practice but won't play soon

Last update: January 8, 2008 - 1:47 AM

On Monday -- finally -- Randy Foye was told he could take another step toward his return to action from a stress reaction in his left kneecap. But it will be a cautious one, and Foye's return to game action appear to be at least two-plus weeks away.

A CAT scan performed Monday morning showed Foye's knee has healed enough for him to return to the practice court. But for at least a week there will be no full-contact drills. If, after a week, his knee is still OK he will start taking full part in practice. Even then, it will take a string of full-on practices before Foye is cleared to play.

Still, it was good news for everyone associated with the team to see Foye doing something other than watching. Especially for Foye, who prayed on his way to his appointment in the morning, then again during practice later in the day.

"I ran up and down at the beginning, but when they went live, I dropped out ... ," Foye said. "I went to the other end of the court, put my head up against [the wall] and said thanks."

Wolves coach Randy Wittman and VP Kevin McHale both said they would not let the team's current struggles push them to play Foye before he's ready. Foye will run, jump, shoot and cut on the knee, testing it for a week. Getting in game condition will be necessary, too.

But already Monday, Foye said it felt good -- much better than it did during his brief preseason action, when he said he was unable to push off his left knee at all.

Foye said he can hardly wait to establish chemistry with his teammates, to work on developing an inside-out game with Al Jefferson. But he'll have to be patient a little longer.

"I want to play, but I have to take my time," Foye said. ''I'll come back when everything is right. But for now, it's going according to plan."

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

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