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Connor McDavid will be back in the Edmonton Oilers’ lineup Wednesday, a little more than a week since injuring his ankle.

The center, who was originally expected to miss 2-3 weeks, skated Wednesday on a line with Zach Hyman and Jeff Skinner ahead of their game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place (8:30 p.m. ET: TVAS, SN, SCRIPPS).

McDavid was injured 37 seconds into a 6-1 loss at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 28, tripping on the stick of Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski and falling feet first into the boards.

“When it first happens, obviously you’re concerned that it’s maybe something a little more serious,” the Oilers captain said after skating Monday. “But thankfully we got good news on it and I’ve been doing everything possible to make it feel better.”

“I’m not just sitting around waiting for it to feel better. I’m doing a lot of different things and honestly the team here, the medical staff, everybody’s great and understanding that I’m always pushing to play and trying to find that balance.”

Edmonton (6-6-1) went 2-1-0 without him.

After playing Vegas on Wednesday, the Oilers play at the Vancouver Canuck on Saturday before returning home next week for games against the New York Islanders (Nov. 12) and Nashville Predators (Nov. 14).

Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said before McDavid missed a 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday he hoped the star center would be back soon.

“Maybe a week? We’ll see,” Knoblauch said. “He’s a competitor, he wants to be out on the ice. He wants to be helping the team win. And obviously he knows his body and the doctors are giving him their medical advice, and ultimately it’s going to come down to when the doctors think it’s best for him to come back.

“All those top players, or any player, it’s in their DNA that they want to be on the ice for the games and helping their teammates. Any injury, whether it’s one or two [weeks] or months, it’s not easy for the players.”

The 27-year-old, who has had at least 100 points in seven of his eight full NHL seasons, has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 10 games this season.

Oilers center Leon Draisaitl has stepped up in McDavid’s absence with six points (three goals, three assists) in the three games. Draisaitl leads Edmonton with 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 13 games.

“Amazing,” McDavid said. “He’s such a great player and doesn’t get enough credit as is. So, it’s great to see him doing so well and helping the team win some games.”

He's baaaaack #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/SsGj0g2HUi

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 6, 2024

NHL.com independent correspondent Gerry Moddejonge contributed to this report