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TSN Raptors Reporter

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TSN's Toronto Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg checks in with news and notes from practices and game-day shootarounds.

- Jared Sullinger's first training camp with the Raptors hasn't exactly played out the way he had hoped. Toronto's new starting power forward has missed the last four preseason games and has been a limited participant in practice after his left foot was stepped on in the exhibition opener against Golden State.

“It's frustrating but one thing about this team is everybody's a family,” he said following the team's Monday morning practice session. “So when I was down they understood because it's not about right now, it's about April. We just want to be as healthy as possible. A little injury like this can linger around so we're just trying to solve that early.”

With that in mind, the Raptors are taking every precaution. Sullinger said he's tried to come back a couple times since sustaining the injury but has had a few setbacks. There are no firm plans for him to play in the final two pre-season games this week but he expects to be ready to go for the Oct. 26 regular-season opener versus Detroit.

In the meantime, he's been riding the stationary bike and working on his conditioning while trying to be a quick study from the sidelines. “I ask a lot of questions,” he said.

Head coach Dwane Casey isn't concerned about his ability to pick things up when he does return and indicated that his starting job is not in jeopardy.

"A guy as smart as he is, I’ve seen older players and veteran players miss the whole training camp and jump right in," the Raptors head coach said. “J.R. Smith is going through it right now in Cleveland. I’m not that concerned because he’s such a smart player and he’s done a good job with his weight and his conditioning.”

- Terrence Ross has also been out nursing a knee injury, one that is a bit embarrassing for both him and the team. The Raptors' guard tweaked his knee while attempting a 360 dunk in an open practice last week. He still isn't practising but, like Sullinger, Casey expects him to return next week.

- Lucas Nogueira was all smiles on Monday. Although he's tempering his own expectations, he's excited for the opportunity to earn playing time as the backup centre this season. His focus in camp has been to channel his passion and positive energy in the right direction, rather than allowing it to be a distraction, and buy into the role Casey wants him to play.

“I know how tough the business is, the NBA, people gotta be hungry, angry every day, but this is not my personality,” said Nogueira. “I just like to have fun. I think that life’s too short to be sad. And I’ve been sad for a long time and I think now it’s time to be happy.”

- Casey insists the competition for the backup centre gig is still wide open. With Pascal Siakam being used more as a power forward it should come down to Nogueira and rookie Jakob Poeltl, though neither player has run away with it in camp. Nogueira's advantage is his length and ability to defend the rim, something Toronto needs now that Bismack Biyombo is gone.