The 20-year-old center was placed on injured reserve Oct. 23 and will not require surgery. During his one-week follow up on Friday, it was determined that his shoulder dislocation was stable and that he was on course with his rehab schedule.
Hughes has scored three points (two goals, one assist) in two games this season.
"Jack is progressing, but Jack's a week-to-week guy right now for us. He's a ways away," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said Friday.
Hughes has missed the past three games after he was injured in a 4-2 win against the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 19. He was trying to control the puck in the left-wing corner before he was checked off his skates by Kraken defenseman Jeremy Lauzon with 1:06 left in the first period and was down on the ice for a several seconds before getting up and skating off.
"It's not fun," Devils captain Nico Hischier said Oct. 21. "You don't want to see anybody get hurt. I'm sure he'll recover and come back strong. He's always a big part of our group, but at the end of the day, we just have to focus on whoever's in the lineup and play for those guys who are not in the lineup."
Goalies Mackenzie Blackwood (heel) and Jonathan Bernier (lower body) could travel with the Devils for their game at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Bernier has missed the past three games; Blackwood has yet to play this season.
"I wouldn't say I'm ready to play tomorrow, but I wouldn't rule out (returning) within a week," Blackwood said.
