Amare Stoudemire is still struggling to play on his two knees, and recently sat out multiple practices. The team hasn’t said much about how Stoudemire is doing, but it looks like he could find himself playing extremely limited minutes to start the season.

Darius Songaila has sat out for the last couple of days with a pinched nerve in his back. Songaila will be playing his first season with the Washington Wizards.

Yao Ming is going to sit out for a couple days to rest a bruised toe. Ming practiced with the injury suffered minimal discomfort but the Houston Rockets are taking precautions to make sure their All-Star center is ready after rehabbing from a broken foot and playing in the World Championships.

The Orlando Magic have four players involved with injuries. J.J. Redick is sitting out because of torn tissue on the bottom of his foot. Tony Battie tweaked his knee along with a sore foot. Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard required stiches after a head-on collision during Friday’s practice. The two knocked heads and and Howard (6′ 11″) sent Nelson (5′ 10″) down hard. “We’re worried about his head. . .about headaches and stuff,” Coach Brian Hill said.

Dwyane Wade received good new when the MRI on his right hand came back negative. Depending on how well medication relieves the pain, he may have his minutes reduced.

Neither Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks or Mickael Pietrus of the Golden State Warriors will be getting a contract extension before the season begins. While both teams plan to retain the players, contract negotations are unlilkely to be completed before the Halloween deadline.

If you’ve missed it, NBA bloggers around the league are compiling their season previews on one blog. You can read them here.