Patrick Eaves was set to miss around seven weeks with a broken jaw, but it's getting closer to 12 weeks total he's been out. His jaw was healed at the beginning of February, but he was experiencing headaches and post-concussion symptoms, so was kept out of all practices until recently. MLive.com is reporting that Eaves took the ice for the first time since the injury that occurred back on Nov. 26 on Friday.
It wasn't all good news, though, as Eaves is still experiencing daily headaches and other post-concussion symptoms. Eaves said that he has a headache "pretty much all of the time," which really doesn't foster any kind of hope that he's able to return to the Red Wings this season. With almost all of the major sports leagues taking more and more steps to crack down on concussions, the Red Wings are being very conservative with him.
Eaves isn't in any rush himself, saying he's taking his time, and is just relieved that he can be around to do a little bit of working out here and there. He's not cleared for any kind of contact or strenuous work, and there's definitely a chance that he doesn't return this year. Ken Holland said that they were proceeding as if Eaves isn't going to return this year, though he does add that he's hopeful that Eaves can.
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