Wesley Matthews participates in contact drills with Mavericks for the first time

For the first time since joining the Dallas Mavericks, Wesley Matthews participated in the majority of contract drills during the Mavs' Monday practice, according to Mavs.com's Earl K. Sneed. As you may know, Matthews suffered an Achilles tear in March and has been rehabilitating the injury ever since. Recovery usually takes a minimum of eight months, though it can be longer in some instances.

Sneed also noted that Matthews knocked down 21 of 25 3s after practice. He also reportedly connected on an alley-oop off the glass.

While it will still be some time before Matthews is fully recovered, today's news is certainly promising. Matthews told Mavs Moneyball earlier this year that he is aiming to return for opening night against the Phoenix Suns on October 28. However, head coach Rick Carlisle alluded to the possibility of Matthews being out longer on media day.

Yet, this good news also brings with it a question. Chandler Parsons has yet to begin contact drills during training camp. This whole time, it was assumed that Parsons was closer to returning than Matthews. That still may be the case, but it does raise some concerns.

In September, it was reported that Parsons underwent "minor hybrid" microfracture surgery on his knee in May. Parsons has, however, already resumed ball work and is getting up shots. All along, he has stated that he will be ready to go come October 28. Contact drills will likely be the next step in his recovery but when he begins those is anyone's guess at this point.