Nahville Predators left wing Steve Sullivan joined his teammates for practice on Tuesday for the first time this season.

Sullivan has been sidelined with a back injury suffered during the 2006-07 season.

"With the way the schedule works with Christmas, New Year's, the team going on the road, today was just an opportunity for me to go out and be on the ice for an hour and 15, 20 minutes; do the drills I could handle with the team," Sullivan said.

"We'll re-evaluate (Wednesday) morning and see if it was too much or if we handled it correctly, if we need to take something away or if we can add something. Every day is a different day; we're re-assessing day by day; we're not guessing, estimating, or giving any timetable as to when I'll be able to skate again. We are on a day-to-day basis. I'm hoping to feel good tomorrow morning and continue the process."

Nashville coach Barry Trotz was pleased with what he saw.

"He did surprisingly well for someone who has been out as long as he's been out," Trotz said. "Having him back adds some excitement to the group, but he's still just out there on his own timetable. He may be out there five minutes and leave the ice or may be out there an hour."

Sullivan recorded 22 goals and 38 assists in 57 games in 2006-07.

A ninth-round pick of New Jersey in 1994, Sullivan has appeared in 723 career games with the Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Predators, collecting 228 goals and 349 assists.