It took just 1 quarter for Coby White to help Bulls rediscover underutilized skill

Coby White is finally back.

After missing the first eleven games of the season with a calf injury suffered late in the offseason, the Bulls guard officially made his long-awaited debut

midway through the first quarter against the Utah Jazz. The Bulls trailed 16–12 at the time, but White wasted no time making an impact.

Coby White immediately impacted Chicago's offense

On his very first offensive possession of the year, White buried a moving three on the right wing off a baseline-out-of-bounds feed from Ayo Dosunmu. It was the type of shot that instantly took a ton of pressure on the Bulls’ offense, and especially Josh Giddey, by giving Chicago a legitimate perimeter threat in the halfcourt once again.

By the end of the first quarter, White looked exactly like the player Bulls fans remembered from last season. He knocked down two threes, grabbed a pair of rebounds, and generated open scoring opportunities for nearly everyone on the floor. Chicago’s offensive identity immediately transformed within minutes of him checking in.

Why Coby White changes everything

Through the season’s first eleven games, the Bulls have often relied on transition opportunities to survive, struggling to get out of their stagnant half-court offense. White’s return immediately changed that. The Jazz were forced to account for him on every possession, and the attention he commanded created the kind of spacing the Bulls had yet to see this season. His ability to break down defenders and force paint touches gave the Bulls an element they have been searching for since opening night.

White’s individual scoring and shot-creation obviously matter, but the real difference was seen in how much easier he makes everybody else's job while on the floor. His ability to attack closeouts and make quick decisions as he's driving to the rim opened doors that his teammates simply can’t open on their own.

Giddey thrives in transition, but White amplifies what Chicago can do when the game slows down. In the first quarter alone, multiple possessions saw White get two feet in the paint, leading to wide-open looks for Dosunmu, Jalen Smith, and Julian Phillips, arguably some of the cleanest shots they’ve had all season.

White as a stabilizer

While the Bulls have shown flashes offensively, consistency has arguably been their biggest issue. White’s return suggests the answer to that problem may have been sitting on the bench the entire time. Chicago exploded for an impressive 70 first-half points in its debut, and if that performance is any indication of what’s ahead, the offensive inconsistency can be considered as good as gone.

Coby White’s season debut showed exactly why he was so badly missed: he’s the exact player who allows the entire system to work so smoothly.

Aaron Rodgers’ Wrist Injury Could Stifle Pittsburgh Steelers’ Playoff Hopes

The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to fend off the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 despite losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a wrist injury.

Sunday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the initial fear from one source is that Rodgers suffered “a slight break” in his wrist. Rodgers will undergo further testing on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury and how much time will be missed.

Schefter elaborated that it’s shaping up to be backup quarterback Mason Rudolph against the Chicago Bears next week.

Rudolph was 12-of-16 passing for 127 yards and one touchdown in relief of Rodgers. He was able to seal the 34-12 victory against the Bengals and send the Steelers to 6-4.

The Cleveland Browns didn’t do the Steelers any favors when they collapsed against the Baltimore Ravens. But with a 6-4 record, the Steelers are still on top of the 5-5 Ravens and in sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

But if Rodgers is forced to miss significant time, playoff hopes in Pittsburgh could be all but over.

This offseason, the Steelers signed the 41-year-old hoping to upgrade from Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, who both departed in free agency. While Rodgers took his time committing to Pittsburgh formally, the Steelers brought back Rudolph who flamed out in his lone season with the Tennessee Titans. They also drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on Day 3.

Without Rodgers, this Steelers squad barely has a chance. Even though Rudolph is in his sixth season of serving a backup role, he’s been wildly inconsistent when given significant action. The Titans were starving for a solution at quarterback when they turned to him, and he threw nine touchdown passes to nine interceptions.

More importantly, this Steelers offense leaves a ton to be desired.

Running back Jaylen Warren somehow isn’t used enough on a weekly basis. DK Metcalf was a big offseason acquisition who has been inconsistent. But outside of Metcalf? Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are Pittsburgh’s other pass catching options.

The Steelers have the luxury of playing in a dreadful AFC North, but the Ravens are coming. Lamar Jackson was horrible in Week 11’s win against the Browns, but the Ravens still mustered an impressive win against an elite defense. They’ve won four straight games.

While Rudolph put together a respectable stat line in replacement of Rodgers, everybody knows how bad Cincinnati's defense has been.

The Bears are 7-3 and host the Steelers on Sunday. After that, the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills before traveling to Baltimore. Things are getting serious in Pittsburgh, and they could be without their starting quarterback.