Briere, Jagr, JVR, Rinaldo back at practice

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There were no changes in status for any of the injured Flyers at Mondays practice, but there was some good news nonetheless.

Danny Briere (concussion), James van Riemsdyk (concussion), Jaromir Jagr (groin) and Zac Rinaldo (upper-body) all participated in the first team practice since the All-Star break. All wore regular orange or white jerseys instead of the no-contact jerseys injured players often wear.

Briere and van Riemsdyk, who remain out indefinitely, left practice prior to the more physical drills the rest of the Flyers participated in, but their presence was encouraging.

Its great, Matt Carle said. The timing of break was perfect for us and the injuries we had, and allowed those guys to get back to being able to play. Certainly this time of year you will have your bumps and bruises and everybody will be battling with injuries and its no different with our team. Hopefully these guys and myself and everybody had time to recover.

Aside from Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux, who took part in Sundays NHL All-Star game (and were given the day off on Monday), the Flyers have been off since Wednesday.

Though Rinaldo and Jagr are day-to-day, the Flyers did recall Harry Zolnierczyk, Ben Holmstrom and Tom Sestito from the Adirondack Phantoms on Monday (see story). That very well could be an indication that one or both of Rinaldo and Jagr arent ready to return in the eyes of the Flyers medical staff.

Rinaldo said he feels ready to go now, despite hurting his neck Jan. 14.

Originally in Nashville, I hit Jordin Tootoo shoulder to shoulder, and I hurt my disc in my neck and I came back, practice the day after, shouldnt have practicedpulled it again. Took a couple days off, played in New Jersey, shouldnt have played. Kept pulling and pulling it.

Jagr said he will decide if hes ready to return after Tuesdays morning skate.

I just want to play every day, he said. I just wish that I would be injury-free and I could play every game, but for some reason it doesnt happen this season. Im not used to it.

The last seven years, I didnt miss one game. Maybe Im not good to deal with that. Maybe Im too impatient.

E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com.

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