HOUSTON -- Rockets power forward Terrence Jones will make his return Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks after an extended absence due to nerve inflammation in his left leg.

Houston coach Kevin McHale said he planned to play Jones about 15 to 20 minutes in his first game since Nov. 3.

"He's not going to be up to his level," said McHale, who described the condition Jones dealt with as a "scary" case of drop foot. "It might take him a month of playing, but he'll get there. Tonight is just the first step."

McHale said he'd be "shocked" if center Dwight Howard played against the Mavs. Howard did not participate in shootaround due to a right ankle injury that caused him to miss Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers and was aggravated during Tuesday's practice.