Breaking: Big update on injured Maple Leaf Auston Matthews.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been without star forward Auston Matthews for a full 3 weeks now and that would mean that he is only 1 week away from the initial prognosis on his recovery time. 

Matthews was injured when he was on the receiving end of a very solid body check from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba during the second game of a back to back series between the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews was caught streaking towards the Winnipeg Jets net by Trouba who went shoulder to shoulder, giving Matthews the third serious shoulder injury of his young career as a hockey player. The news was obviously hugely disappointing and also raised concerns about Matthews' history of shoulder injuries, however it seems like the Leafs may now be getting some good news a little early. 

According to a breaking news report from Toronto Maple Leafs beat writer Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun, Matthews appears to be a full participant at the practice held today by the Maple Leafs organization and was spotted wearing a red jersey on the ice. This is obviously a very good sign for the Leafs as this upcoming Saturday would mark the completion of the four week recovery period that Matthews was expected to need to bounce back. That being said though his early participation in a full practice could be a sign of a quicker than normal recovery from the Maple Leafs superstar.

Matthews had skated with his teammates earlier in the week but had not participated in a full practice, although he had engaged in some limited drills with his teammates. Full participation is a significant step forward from Matthews and with 4 games on the schedule for the Maple Leafs this week that could be very big for the team. Monday the Leafs will welcome the Blue Jackets to the Air Canada Center before a two games raid trop against the Carolina Hurricanes and the aforementioned Blue Jackets and the week will then be capped off by home game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The initial injury report would suggest his return should be set for Saturday against the Flyers, but if Matthews is ahead of schedule on his recovery it could be one, or perhaps even many extra games with him in the line up. Obviously the Leafs will exercise caution here but if Matthews gets the green light there's little doubt he would be going in.

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