Injury

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There have been a lot of injuries, suspensions and absences in Chicago sports for one reason or another in recent days and weeks. Here's a scorecard on the status of some of the players involved.   IN Duncan Keith He'll return from suspension Thursday when the Blackhawks visit Minnesota.   OUT Jonathan Toews The injured Blackhawks captain is traveling with the team but not playing Thursday.   IN Richard Hamilton The Bulls guard returned to action Monday night in the team's loss to Houston.

Even for the Cubs, this has been a bizarre week. You can't help but think there's something else at work. You know what we mean. No deal The Cubs wanted to have a Wrigley Field renovation plan in place by Monday. Uh, yeah, that didn't happen. They're still talking things over with city officials and Wrigleyville rooftop owners. Blah, blah, blah. Curse meter: 2 out of 5   Ewwwww … We're all for sending a message to team management when things aren't working out, but not like this.

Aaron Szumny has been cut off by reckless drivers and scraped up by a car door flung in his path. He has seen fellow bikers be just as careless as other drivers, and inexperienced riders create hazards on Chicago roads. Despite the dangers, the lifelong rider, who currently is on a break from cycling, doesn't wear a helmet when he rides. "I feel like it restricts my vision," said Szumny, 30, of Wicker Park. And in a city with no law requiring helmets for cyclists, he certainly isn't the only one to skip out on headgear.

Hard hits make sports fans gasp and flinch, but they're far tougher on the players. In April, fans watched in shock as Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa was knocked off his feet, strapped to a stretcher, carted off the ice and taken to the emergency room during the playoffs. On Tuesday, the Hawks felt déjà vu as Hossa left the ice after another head injury. This time, a Vancouver player leveled him with a forearm to the back of the head. Such forceful hits sidelined other Chicago athletes last year with concussions.

If the NBA playoffs had not been pushed back due to last year's lockout, the Bulls and Blackhawks would have been playing their first-round series at the same time in mid-April. Instead, the Blackhawks have already retired for the season, leaving the Bulls as the only United Center resident playing. As the Bulls-Philadelphia series unfolds, however, fans couldn't be blamed if they were reminded of the Blackhawks' six-game loss to Phoenix. The storylines in both series have been similar, but hopefully with different endings.

Chicago's municipal code defines so-called dangerous dogs, mandates restrictions on them and imposes penalties on irresponsible dog owners. Here's a breakdown. Leash ordinance Letter of the law: It's illegal for animals to be outside their owners' property lines without a leash - unless the animal is a dog at a dog park. Violations: If no one is severely injured or killed and there is no property damage, the fine is $300. If someone is severely injured or killed, owners face fines of $1,000-$10,000 and the possibility of jail time and community service.

Enough is enough. Enough of the hand-wringing over Luol Deng's wrist injury. Enough of the worrying about what's wrong with Joakim Noah. Enough complaining about Carlos Boozer's defense. Enough fretting about Derrick Rose's big toe. Bulls fans have done a lot of focusing on the negative recently - and with all those doom-and-gloom headlines, they can't be blamed. But, looking at the big picture, there's a lot to be extremely happy about in Bulls nation. Take Monday night's huge 110-95 win over the New Jersey Nets, for example.

Another year, another L.A. Galaxy visit that won't feature David Beckham. The English soccer star was suspended by MLS for Sunday's match against the Fire at Toyota Park thanks to an angry display during Sunday's game against San Jose. Beckham now has missed games at Toyota Park due to injury or suspension in each of the past four seasons. Maybe fans can spot him around town this weekend - he'll definitely have time on his hands. In the meantime, it's no surprise his behavior has him in trouble again, as the uber-celebrity has landed in the spotlight for his temper as much as his considerable generosity.