Outside linebacker Patrick Hennessey might not miss 8-10 weeks after all.

Hennessey had surgery to put a pin in his hand a couple weeks ago, a result of a broken bone near the base of his thumb. Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said he would be out 8-10 weeks, which would have kept him on the sideline for most, if not all of, the remainder of the regular season.

But Hennessey was back at practice on Monday, with a big club cast on his hand, taking a few repetitions. Hennessey returning to at least a limited practice means that his timetable for a return has probably changed.

“Yeah, I think so,” Calhoun said. “But he has to have the right kind of cast before he can do anything.”

Hennessey would have to be cleared by Air Force’s medical staff before he can return. He would also need to be fitted for a special cast.

“He’s got to be able to use at least some of his hand,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun said there’s some healing that still has to happen, so he didn’t want to put a date on when Hennessey could return. Calhoun didn’t want to speculate if there’s any shot at Hennessey playing this week against Navy.

“I’m not sure what that timetable is,” Calhoun said. “It’s still a ways off.”