The best-case deadline for Carli Lloyd's return from injury has passed, and the Dash midfielder and U.S. national team captain said Tuesday she still does not have a reliable timeline.

Lloyd suffered a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament in her right knee early in the Dash's game at Orlando on April 23. The injury did not require surgery.

"They put a three- to six-week timeline on me, but it's hard to gauge," Lloyd said.

Lloyd has not begun to run on dry land. The most strenuous part of her rehabilitation has been running in a pool. She increases the intensity every day she feels better.

She said the pain subsides a little bit every day, but some pain remains where the hamstring and MCL insert.

Although she will not be on the pitch, Lloyd will be at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday when the Dash (2-2-1) play host to the Orlando Pride (3-2-0) at 7:30 p.m.

"Each week, it is getting better and better," Lloyd said. "When I am fully ready and 100 percent fit and back to normal, that is when I will step back out onto the field. Anything earlier than that, it is a risk for reinjury, so I have to be really smart."

Corey Roepken is a freelance writer.