I had lots of questions about the status of Blues defenseman Eric Brewer in JR LIVE today, so here’s the latest . . .

After rejoining the Blues on Monday, Brewer skated with the team again today. He is wearing an orange no-contact jersey, but he participated in all of the drills Wednesday and today. He’s been skating the last few days alongside rookie Alex Pietrangelo, making up the Blues’ fourth defensive pair in practice. This is unbelievable progress considering that less than two months ago, Brewer could only jog lightly and his workouts were extremely limited.

“I got cleared by two doctors, and within a matter of days, I came (to St. Louis),” Brewer said. “It’s happened very quickly. I knew all along that I would have a good gauge of where I was (in rehab) once I got on the ice. It just took me so long to get on the ice. I knew how I felt off the ice, but sometimes it’s not a great indicator because it’s not what you do (physically) on the ice. Once I got on, it was easy to give them more feedback.”

It was a huge mental lift for Brewer when he stepped on the ice Monday with the Blues.

“It was excellent,” he said. “I was horrendous, but it was nice to be in the flow. It’s different when you’re out with the guys. You’re reacting to plays rather than dictating the play. It changes your outlook. Because I was off the ice for so long, you forget how challenging it is just to skate . . . and then to be out there making plays. It’s nice to be involved and hear the guys beaking on the ice. When you’re involved with a team your whole life and then you’re not for a long period, you really miss it.”

Brewer intends to be a part of the Blues’ regular practice routine as much as possible in the coming weeks.

“My hope is to skate with the guys on a regular schedule, the same as the guys,” he said. “If I get to the point where I don’t have the capacity to handle what the guys are doing, then I’ll take a day off. But my plan is to be with the guys as much as I can and quietly mix back in. I can worry about my stuff and be out of the way, and they can focus on the stuff that they need to focus on. If I fit in, and I can help, then all the better.” 

Neither Brewer nor the Blues are attempting to pinpoint a target date for his return.

“We’re just going to monitor where I’m at and just move from there,” he said. “Everyone is really good with the open timetable.”

Asked what percentage he feels right now, Brewer said: “I don’t know. I don’t know how much of the disk is left. Whatever ability that I have, I just want to get the most out of that. Whatever is there . . . just be able to maximize that.”

Blues coach Andy Murray is impressed with Brewer’s progress.

“He’s an orange blur out there right now,” Murray said. “He did every drill . . . 3 on 2s . . . some of the confrontation . . . it’s just fun seeing him out there.”

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Blues forward D.J. King has been assigned to Peoria, where he will begin a two-week rehabilitation stint with the Rivermen. King, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, suffered a dislocated thumb in training camp.

The Blues have been holding King out primarily because of what his job description entails. He can play, but if he needs to fight, the thumb could be an issue.

King’s first fight may come quickly. The Rivermen play against the Milwaukee Admirals Friday and again next Wednesday. The Admirals have a character named Nolan Yonkman (6-foot-6, 247 pounds), who can throw down. Then a week from Saturday, the Rivermen take on the Rockford Ice Hogs, who have a heavyweight named Ryan Flinn (6-5, 230).

Although King will be in Peoria, he counts toward the Blues’ 23-man roster, which is the reason the Blues had to sent Derek Armstrong to Peoria on Monday. Armstrong cleared waivers, but has yet to report to the Rivermen. He did receive permission to visit his family in Colorado before reporting.

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If you don’t have tickets to the game tonight and you want to see the unveiling of the Al MacInnis statue, you’re in luck. Here’s a note from Geoff Goldman at Fox Sports Midwest:

“Tonight’s pregame ceremonies at Scottrade Center – both the outdoor ceremony in which the Blues will unveil the statue of Al MacInnis and the on-ice ceremonie – will be televised live on FOX Sports Midwest as part of an extended one-hour pregame show that starts at 6 p.m.”

Please note: There is a chance the MacInnis ceremony will get moved indoors because of the rainy weather. As of 2:30 p.m., a decision had not been made.

JR