Dec 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman talks to shooting guard Glen Rice Jr. (14) against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries have been too common for the Wizards this season, but they’ve gotten healthy over the past month or so with Bradley Beal returning from injury, Nene getting off a minutes restriction, and it looks like they’ll be getting rookie Glen Rice Jr. back sooner rather than later. According to J.Michael of CSN Washington, Rice is close to returning to the Wizards lineup:

Coach Randy Wittman said Rice, who has been cleared to shoot and can be seen working out with teammates after practices, should be participating in full-contact drills soon.

Rice reportedly had surgery to repair a hairline fracture in his shooting wrist after aggravating it in a celebration in New York after a Wizards win over the Knicks. Rice cracked the Wizards rotation after Bradley Beal was sidelined with a stress injury in his fibula and he unfortunately suffered a setback with the wrist injury.

Washington has been playing an 8-man rotation over the past few games, so having Glen Rice Jr. back in the lineup will definitely add to their depth. Even though the short rotation has been working, Randy Wittman will have to try and get some contribution from the bench to make sure he doesn’t burn his starters out before the latter half of the season.

Once Glen Rice Jr. is available to play, I think we’ll see him play regular minutes off the bench. His ability to score the ball has been well known coming out of the D-League, but he’s surprised everyone with his willingness to work on the defensive side of the floor. Wittman has preached defense ever since he took over for Flip Saunders a few seasons ago and he’s given chances to players who are willing to commit defensively.