Williams, LaRose take part in practice

No timetable yet on injured Canes

RALEIGH -- Two long-missing members of the Carolina Hurricanes resurfaced Saturday when Justin Williams and Chad LaRose took part in an optional practice at the RecZone.

Wearing no-contact blue jerseys, they participated in the full practice, the first for each since they were injured.

"They look good, but it's just a starting point," Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette said.

Williams tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Dec. 20, an injury that has a four- to six-month recovery window. Right now, he's at 13 weeks. The first time he tore that ligament, with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2002-03, he was back in less than 11 weeks.

"It's just a relief to be back on the ice," Williams said. "It's been awhile since I've been out there. It's refreshing, something new. It puts me in a better mood."

LaRose broke his left leg on Feb. 5 and was expected to miss six to eight weeks, and the front end of that window was Tuesday.

"That's just for bone healing," LaRose said. "We had the bone X-rayed this week, and it's fully healed, so now I just have to get back into shape."

Joe Jensen, who missed Thursday's 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers with a wrist injury, was back at practice and expected to be available when the Canes host the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.