Hickson (knee) has been cleared for full-contact basketball activities following last season's ACL tear, The Denver Post reports. Hickson will still be suspended for the first five games of this season for violating the league's anti-drug program, but it appears he'll be able to resume playing once that punishment is completed. That's because Hickson has already been fully cleared following his ACL tear suffered in March. Along with that remarkably quick recovery, Hickson said he won't wear a brace on his knee this season. With the Nuggets' roster fairly unchanged up front, Hickson should fulfill a role similar to last season, when he averaged 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in 26.9 minutes across 69 games (52 starts).