DETROIT –Jordin Tootoo has been cleared to play, but with a couple of extra healthy forwards, there is no telling when the scrappy Detroit Red Wings forward will be back in the lineup.

Tootoo had been out since Sept. 19, when he suffered a bruised bone in his shoulder during a preseason game in Boston.

“I feel I’m in the right state to get back at ‘er,’’ Tootoo said. “Right now it’s just about maintaining my strength and making sure every day I come to the rink I’m ready, both mentally and physically.’’

Coach Mike Babcock said the only lineup change for Thursday’s game against Phoenix (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit) will be on the fourth line, where Mikael Samuelsson replaced Tomas Tatar.

Tootoo brings a different dimension with his physical game and willingness to fight.

“My job is to play hockey when I’m called upon,’’ Tootoo said. “For me it’s one day at a time. Just enjoying every bit of it. This is the greatest league to be in and when you’re around the greatest hockey players in the world, life is good.

“I’m just glad to be part of this whole organization.’’

The Red Wings don’t need to make a roster move or clear salary-cap space to activate Tootoo because forwards Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves are on lone-term injured reserve.

Eaves (sprained MCL and ankle) skated with the team on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured in practice on Sept. 19. But he was on the ice for only half the practice. Players on LTIR must sit out a minimum of 10 games.

Here are the lines and defense pairings they skated with today:

Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Justin Abdelkader

Johan Franzen-Stephen Weiss-Daniel Alfredsson

Daniel Cleary-Joakim Andersson-Todd Bertuzzi

Drew Miller-Cory Emmerton-Mikael Samuelsson

Tomas Tatar, Jordin Tootoo (extras)

Darren Helm (skated but on injured reserve).

Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson

Danny DeKeyser-Jakub Kindl

Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith

Brian Lashoff

Jimmy Howard

Petr Mrazek

Jonas Gustavsson (on IR)