Capitals Injury Updates: Fehervary & Jensen Progress, Carlson Joins Team

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals got some great news on the injury front on Wednesday, as they saw several key blueliners take a step in the right direction.

Martin Fehervary and Nick Jensen, who were both hurt in the March 1 game against the Anaheim Ducks, are both back skating with the team. Fehervary (lower-body) took a big step forward, as the 23-year-old upgraded to a contact jersey and was a full go at practice. Jensen (upper-body) is still in a non-contact jersey. Both have missed the last two games, but with Fehervary upgrading and Dylan McIlrath re-assigned to Hershey, he appears likely to return for Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils.

Meanwhile, there was another major positive at practice, as John Carlson took the ice with his teammates for the first time since taking a slapshot to the face back on Dec. 23. The 33-year-old is still "a ways away" from returning, but has a doctor's appointment to assess his status.

General manager Brian MacLellan said on Friday that there is a "set timeframe" on Carlson's return, and that the tetam can start to get "serious" at the end of the month about the possibility of him drawing back into the mix. The plan is for him to get games in regardless of if the team is in playoff position or not.

"It's going to be on him, how he's progressing, how he feels, and we'll kind of make a decision with him and our staff, the medical staff and trainers," MacLellan said.