Auston Matthews is making progress, but he's not all the way back just yet.
The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar took part in a full practice Monday for the first time since sustaining a shoulder injury, but he was still sporting a red no-contact jersey.
Auston Matthews joining #TMLtalk for main practice, again, wearing a red non contact jersey.
— Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) March 12, 2018
He did not skate on his own prior to practice.#NHL pic.twitter.com/WyNIYf8tSQ
Matthews rotated in during the line drills and even took a few reps as a defenseman, but didn't take part in a battle drill toward the end of the session, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said he didn't expect Matthews to be in the lineup for the club's next game Wednesday against the Dallas Stars.
The 20-year-old center was considered day to day after leaving late in a Feb. 22 shootout win over the New York Islanders, but he hasn't played since.
Despite missing the last six games, Matthews still leads Toronto with 28 goals, and he's tied with William Nylander for second on the club with 50 points.
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