Oklahoma State men's basketball: Defensive stopper Brian Williams eyes return within next week

“They say it's healing great, I've just got to get back comfortable with it,” said Williams, who has been fitted with a brace. “I practiced for the first time (Wednesday). It got hit a couple times. I had to walk it off; then I got back in. But it's better than I thought.”

Cowboys coach Travis Ford said he won't rush Williams or his own expectations of a return.

“Who knows when he's going to be playing?” Ford said Thursday. “It's just a process we're going through. If he says he's ready to go, we might give him a shot. Right now, it's day-to-day.”

And right now, Ford said, Williams needs work.

“He's out there. He's running around,” Ford said. “But as you might expect, very hesitant. He's got a little ways to go to get ready, I think, to contribute as much as I hope he can contribute.

“But it's nothing unexpected. It's nothing out of the ordinary. It's fine, just all the normal things you'd think a man would have to go through who's been out for three months.”