Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro was hoping to have all the regulars ready for four solid days of practice heading into Thursday's opener.

Everything had gone according to plan except or one mishap late in Monday's workout at the Berto Center. After participating in about three-quarters of practice, guard Jannero Pargo tweaked an existing back injury, which he said is more in the hip and the result of overcompensating from surgery to repair a sports hernia in June. No word yet on if Pargo will miss any more practice time.

In the meantime, the Bulls suggested that the intensity has grown to appropriate levels the past two days.

"Practice has been super-competitive," guard John Salmons said. "There's been a lot of trash-talking, so it's been good."

"Our defense got a whole lot better," added Derrick Rose. "We're helping gelling, we can communicate with each other real simple, and we like being around each other."

Rose continues progress: Derrick Rose admitted his right ankle was sore after Sunday's practice and took time to loosen up on Monday. But he continued to show progress after being off for three weeks.

"Right now, I'm getting fatigued kind of quick, but that just comes with playing," he said.

Kirk Hinrich is usually matched against Rose in practice and gave a positive report.

"I think he's feeling all right," Hinrich said. "He's moving well. He looks like Derrick."

Adidas is sponsoring a Rose online chat for fans Wednesday at 6 p.m. Central. Visit www.eastbay.com/adidas to ask a question or watch his video answers.

Bull horns: In routine news, the Bull picked up a couple of player options on Monday. Joakim Noah's rookie-scale contract was renewed for next season, his fourth. Same with Derrick Rose's third season. - Guard Derrick Byars continued to practice with the team, but no official word on whether he'll stick around for the start of the regular season. - The radio broadcast of Thursday's game against San Antonio will shift to WLS 890-AM because of the World Series on WMVP.