There is currently no timetable for Dwight Howard to return from his back injury, according to Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks.

Howard suffered the injury while training in the offseason, and the pain worsened after the former All-NBA big man took a promotional tour to China. The 32-year-old has only been doing light work during training camp thus far.

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Dwight Howard signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Wizards in July. Washington traded veteran Marcin Gortat to the L.A. Clippers in exchange for guard Austin Rivers and was in need of a new starting center. The eight-time All-Star is remaining optimistic and says the injury is not that serious, but there should be some concern here since Howard underwent back surgery in 2013.

Howard, who used to be one of the best players in the league when he was with the Orlando Magic, is no longer that dominating presence inside. However, he is coming off a sound statistical season with the Charlotte Hornets in 2017-18. The man they used to call “Superman” averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds per game while shooting 55.5 percent from the field in 81 games with Charlotte.

At the end of the 2017-18 season, Brooks and Wizards star point guard John Wall highlighted specific types of players they wanted to see get added to the Wizards roster this summer. Most notably, the two men pointed to an athletic big. Howard fits that bill, at least when he's healthy.