"Brandon Jennings admitted he was hoping for better news.

The Milwaukee Bucks point guard had an appointment with team doctors Tuesday but was not cleared for a return to practice and full contact.

Jennings knows his return date is getting closer as he progresses from a Dec. 20 surgery to repair a fractured bone in his left foot.

"I just got some X-rays again, and everything looks fine," Jennings said after the Bucks' practice session Tuesday. "But they're going to hold me back awhile.

"It's discouraging, of course. Six weeks would be next week (Monday). They just want to make sure everything is all right."

When Jennings underwent surgery, the team announced he would be out four to six weeks. Now it appears he will be out at least six weeks and possibly a bit longer.

Jennings is doing some jogging and shooting and also experimenting with several shoes while trying to get the right fit.

"I'm testing three new pair with my orthotics in there," Jennings said. "I've still got to get a good feel of what shoes I'm going to start wearing."

Jennings was sporting a pair of low-top shoes Tuesday.

"It felt all right," he said. "But it's always going to feel different when you're out there playing in a game."

Jennings, who started all 82 regular-season games as a rookie and the first 25 games this season, now has missed 17 games.

The Bucks have a 6-11 record in that stretch and have dropped 10 games under .500 at 16-26 entering Wednesday's home game against the Atlanta Hawks.

"I'm running out of suits and suit jackets," Jennings quipped about watching so many games in dress clothes. "I've repeated twice already, but nobody's said a word."

Veterans Keyon Dooling and Earl Boykins have shared the point guard duties in Jennings' absence. And the Bucks added some backcourt depth Tuesday when they signed 6-foot-5 guard Garrett Temple to a 10-day contract."