Hayward (ankle) said Wednesday that he's "starting to ramp things up" and is planning to begin contact work next week, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Hayward recently shed his walking boot and continues to see slight progression during his rehab, but there's still no definitive timetable for a return to game action. The veteran forward has appeared in just three contests since Jan. 21, so even when he's cleared, he'll likely be under a strict minute restriction. While he likely won't return soon enough to be a major fantasy contributor, his presence would be a huge boost for a Charlotte squad that's clinging to the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.