Faulk returns to Hurricanes practice

RALEIGH, N.C. - Injured All-Star defenseman Justin Faulk is back practicing with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Faulk took part in the Hurricanes' skate Monday while wearing a yellow, no-contact jersey. He has been dealing with an unspecified lower-body injury for the past five-plus weeks.

He says ''it's not fun'' because ''you never want to miss games, especially with injury and especially when you're where we are.''

The Hurricanes have lost four straight and are seven points out of the playoff picture with 10 games remaining.

Faulk - the team's only All-Star pick - was hurt during practice Feb. 11 when he collided with teammate Brad Malone near the boards. He has played only one game since then, logging nearly 17 minutes of ice time in a win over Philadelphia on Feb. 23.