Howard commences light on-court workouts

Dwight Howard has started what the Houston Rockets are calling mild on-court activities, but there is still no definitive timetable for his return.

A time frame of four-to-eight weeks was given when he underwent a bone narrow aspirate injection in his knee on Feb. 4. Wednesday marked four weeks since the procedure, so it's starting to look like the recovery period is on the high end of the projection. 

Saturday's Rockets game against the Denver Nuggets was the 19th straight contest he's sat out with the bone edema in his right knee, and he's missed a career-high 31 games in total this season. On Wednesday, Houston coach Kevin McHale said he couldn't get a grasp on Howard's rehabilitation until he saw him on the practice court, so Saturday's news is a logical step in the right direction.

The 29-year-old is averaging the lowest rebound per game output since his rookie year. While the Rockets have played well without Howard, their optimal lineup clearly has the three-time Defensive Player of the Year and six-time rebounding champ starting for them at center.

In the meantime, Howard has kept things light, honing his acting skills (which could use some work) on an appearance of the CBS sitcom "The Odd Couple." He can be seen around the 2:47 mark.