Dave Bolland (groin) skated with the full team at Thursday's practice, Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Bolland (groin) skated with the full team at Thursday's practice, Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Bolland has been slow to recover from the groin injury he suffered in the fourth game of the season, but there's growing optimism that his return could be forthcoming. He'll probably need a couple more practices to get back up to full speed as he sets his sights on returning from IR next week. His return will provide the Panthers with a little more depth down the middle, but the team is likely already experiencing a bit of buyer's remorse after doling out a five-year, $27.5 million contract to the center this past offseason.