Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons is nearing a return from a broken thumb. Simons practiced with the Blazers on Monday and reportedly went through most of practice, seemingly without any issue.

Portland coach Chauncey Billups was enthusiastic about Simons' upcoming return, saying “I’m hoping the next game!” when asked when his starting guard might play. Malcolm Brogdon added that Simons looked great in practice.

The sixth-year guard was injured in the Trail Blazers first game of the season. Simons was expected to miss six weeks, putting his return right on schedule.

Jerami Grant has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol.   

Grant left Saturday night’s game at Utah during the fourth quarter and did not return.   

Per the NBA’s Concussion Policy, Grant will now begin the NBA-mandated Return-to-Participation Protocol. 

The Portland Trail Blazers have been granted a $5.8 million Disabled Player Exception for the season-ending injury to Robert Williams III.

The Blazers acquired Williams as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Boston Celtics.

Williams is out for the season with knee surgery.

The Portland Trail Blazers waived Jamaree Bouyea from his two-waive contract, the team announced on Wednesday.

Bouyea appeared in six games for the Blazers.

The Blazers signed Ibou Badji to a two-way deal to replace Bouyea. 

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to sign Ibou Badji to a Two-Way contract.

Badji was previously on a Two-Way contract with the Blazers.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been down to one healthy point guard. Head coach Chauncey Billups said that should change soon.

Malcolm Brogdon is "really close" to returning for Portland. He's missed the last five games with a strained hamstring.

Rookie guard Scoot Henderson is also closing in on a return. Billups said he could be back in the next week. Henderson has missed the last eight games with a sprained ankle. Henderson's return was further delayed when it was discovered he also had a bone bruise.

Portland Trail Blazers wing Ish Wainright has a sprained MCL in his left knee. Wainright is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

The Blazers claimed Wainright off waivers from the Phoenix Suns before the season started. He's appeared in two games so far this season.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard Scoot Henderson will miss an additional two-to-three weeks after imaging revealed a bone bruise in his right ankle. Henderson has already missed time due to a sprained right ankle.

The third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was injured against the Detroit Pistons on November 1. Henderson has missed the Trail Blazers last three games. He'll now be out until late-November or early-December.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Rip City Remix are signing Jamaree Bouyea to a two-way contract. Bouyea is replacing Skylar Mays, who Portland is converting to a standard contract.

Bouyea spent last season with the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards in the NBA, as well as the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League. Bouyea was set to return to the Skyforce for this season, before being signed by the Trail Blazers.

The Portland Trail Blazers are converting guard Skylar Mays to a standard contract. Mays has been with Portland on a two-way deal this season.

Mays has appeared in seven games this season. He's averaging 14.3 minutes per game of the Blazers bench. He's averaged 6.1 points and 2.7 assists per game.

Mays has taken on a bigger than expected role with injuries to Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Malcolm Brogdon in Portland's backcourt.