GOTTA SEE IT: Tom Wilson Upgrades To Contact Jersey For Capitals

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is taking the next step in his recovery, and the team got huge news on his progress on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old, who is working his way back after ACL surgery in late May, is no longer in a non-contact jersey and is in a regular jersey. It comes days after Nicklas Backstrom upgraded to a regular jersey.

While there are likely still ways to go for him, it's a big step forward.

Wilson suffered a torn ACL in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers when he tweaked his knee trying to avoid a hit on Mackenzie Weegar.

"My injury was weird, and when you're on your feet, even in that first game when I was hurt, I was doing tests that I shouldn't have been able to do," Wilson said of his injury. "I was jumping up and down and a bunch of different stuff, and they're like, 'You're fine. You're fine.'"

He has not played yet this season. Last season, Wilson hit numerous career highs, registering 24 goals, 28 assists and 52 points in 78 games while earning a trip to the NHL's All-Star Weekend.

This comes at a good time for Washington, as they are currently missing another key right winger in T.J. Oshie.

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals Reflect On What T.J. Oshie Really Means To The Team

Oshie has not skated since suffering an upper-body injury in the Capitals' win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Washington will need another RW to bring that energy and help fill his void in the coming future if he's out long-term. Seeing Wilson take a step forward is a good sign that he can eventually return and help fill in there.