WASHINGTON — The Chicago Sky have yet to provide a clear timeline for the return of All-Defensive wing DiJonai Carrington, who continues to recover from ankle surgery performed in October. Carrington, who sustained the injury during last season’s playoffs, has undergone a follow-up procedure in mid-April to remove hardware from the joint and remains in the rehabilitation phase.

Carrington declined to commit to a specific return date during the team’s media day and has since refrained from offering updates on her availability. The Sky’s head coach, Tyler Marsh, dismissed reports suggesting the team signed Carrington with the expectation she would not be available until after the FIBA World Cup break, which spans from August 31 to September 16. Marsh emphasized that the organization remains aligned with its established recovery timeline and noted that Carrington is making progress in on-court activities. Carrington herself rebuked the speculation by reposting the report with an indication that it was false.

The Sky currently have only eight fully healthy players on their active roster. While Chicago’s defense has managed to hold steady, ranking sixth overall in the WNBA, it has experienced difficulties, particularly with rookie wing Gabriela Jaquez sidelined due to a knee injury. The team is anticipating the return of Carrington’s defensive acumen and athleticism to bolster their lineup, but the date of her comeback remains uncertain. Observers have mainly seen Carrington during portioned practice sessions open to the media, where she participates in individual workouts and rehabilitation exercises.

Forward Azura Stevens is another key player still working back to full strength. After missing the first five games of the season because of a bone bruise in her knee, Stevens is currently limited to approximately 16 minutes per game under a minutes restriction. Stevens shared that her playing time is adjusted daily based on how her body responds, which makes building consistent rhythm challenging. “It’s really, really hard,” she said, describing the difficulty of finding flow when she must exit games as she begins to get going. “But I understand it’s just the process right now.”

Meanwhile, Jaquez continues to be sidelined, missing her third consecutive game. Despite her injury, she recently reconnected with two former UCLA teammates, Mystics rookies Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic. Both expressed admiration for Jaquez’s versatility and work ethic. Dugalic highlighted Jaquez’s ability to contribute in various facets of the game, from scoring to defense, while Betts noted their ongoing communication via texts and FaceTime.

With multiple players managing injuries, the Sky are navigating a challenging stretch as they await key contributors’ returns to full health. For now, the team and fans remain poised for updates on Carrington’s status as she continues her rehabilitation.