Pistons' Jennings expects to be back in 3 weeks

The Detroit Pistons have been one of the league's most improved teams this season, despite having a bench that's been virtually unplayable across the board.

When starting point guard Reggie Jackson has been on the floor, for example, the Pistons have outscored opponents by 6.4 points per 100 possessions; when he's hit the bench, they've been outscored by 12.5 per 100.

Help could be on the way, though, as point guard Brandon Jennings - who was playing the best ball of his career before rupturing his Achilles in January - is on the comeback trail.

Jennings started participating in full-court drills two weeks ago for the first time since the injury, and says he's now on a three-week timeline, pegging his return to game action sometime around Christmas, according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

Jennings has started in all but three of his 412 career games, so coming off the bench would be an adjustment, but if he can get back to where he was last season, he'd work wonders as the captain of the Pistons' second unit.

Detroit can also opt to start him alongside Jackson in the backcourt and bump Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the bench. Either way, the bench should get a much-needed lift.

In 2014-15, his second season with the Pistons, Jennings averaged 15.4 points and 6.6 assists, shot 36 percent from 3-point range, and posted a career-best 19.7 PER.