Tavares returns to practice but status for Saturday unclear

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a broken finger on Oct. 16 against the Washington Capitals.

The 29-year-old skated on a line flanked by Mitch Marner and Trevor Moore, but head coach Mike Babcock says it's unclear when Tavares will return to game action.

"I can't tell you when he's playing. I just know we're doing everything, and he's doing everything, to be ready when he gets his opportunity," Babcock said following Wednesday's practice, according to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel. "The doctors will check that out and decide when he's available."

The Leafs don't play again until they meet the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, and Tavares says he'll have a better idea of his status for that contest after practice on Friday, according to the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan.

Tavares was originally slated to be out for at least two weeks.

The Ontario native tallied three goals and seven points in eight games before his injury. Tavares led the Leafs and finished third in the NHL with a career-high 47 goals in 2018-19.

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