BROSSARD, Que. – Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban practiced with teammates in a full contact jersey Wednesday for the first time since suffering a neck injury March 10 against the Buffalo Sabres.
Subban will not play Thursday night in Detroit but has not ruled out a return Saturday at home against the New York Rangers.
READ MORE: Canadiens say P.K. Subban’s neck injury non-serious, released from hospital
“I have to follow what the doctors say,” said Subban, who has missed six games.
“I’ve still got some symptoms from the injury and they don’t want me back unless I’m at 100 per cent. I want to be patient.”
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve been out of the lineup because of an injury.”
The Bell Centre went silent when Subban went down in obvious pain after a collision with teammate Alexei Emelin. He was taken from the ice on a stretcher, but gave the crowd the thumbs-up on his way out.
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He was released from hospital the next morning.
Centre David Desharnais, out since breaking a bone in a foot on Feb. 15, was also back at practice.
Coach Michel Therrien said a decision will be made after the morning skate whether he would play in Detroit.