Noel practices with Sevens

The 76ers sent Nerlens Noel back to the Delaware 87ers, their NBA Development League team, to continue his rehabilitation stint Friday. Then they recalled the center after practicing with the team.

Noel first went there on Wednesday to practice before rejoining the Sixers on Thursday. He was always scheduled to return to the Sevens on Friday in order to practice.

The move is similar to what Jerryd Bayless did on Nov. 14 to get in some practice time. The Sixers were scheduled to host Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. They're also scheduled to entertain the Orlando Magic there Friday night. As a result, there weren't practice opportunities for Noel with team on Wednesday and Friday. That's why he's practicing with the Sevens.

The 6-foot-11, 228-pounder has been sidelined since Oct. 6 with inflamed tissue above his left knee. He had surgery to repair the injury on Oct. 24. Noel returned to Philadelphia on Nov. 18 after a three-week rehabilitation stint under the supervision of Kevin Wilk, associate clinical director of Champion Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Ala.

Noel has been working out with the Sixers since the following day.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.