Zach Collins Cleared for Bulls Opener, Instantly Becomes Frontcourt Focal Point

Zach Collins being listed as available to play basketball is the kind of news that makes you double-check the timestamp. But the Chicago Bulls big man has officially shaken off a quad injury and is cleared for Wednesday's season opener against the Toronto Raptors.

This is not just a minor depth chart update. With Nic Claxton already sidelined by a hamstring issue, Collins is suddenly staring down a massive workload in the frontcourt.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Zach Collins (quad) listed available to play Wednesday.'"

The Bulls are heavily invested in this working out. Chicago quietly handed Collins a two-year, $17 million extension back in July, betting that his flashes of production can finally outrun his medical chart.

When he actually stays on the floor, the math looks decent. Collins averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds on 57.8 percent shooting in a brief 10-game stint for Chicago last season.

For fantasy managers and anyone eyeing the prop market, Claxton’s absence turns Collins into an immediate volume play. Someone has to grab rebounds and eat up fouls in the paint against Toronto, and Collins is the last man standing.

He is cleared for full contact and ready to roll. Now the Bulls just have to hope their $17 million investment can survive opening night without adding another entry to his career injury log.