Avalanche defenseman Ryan Wilson completed practice today and spoke publicly about his head injury for the first time since he was knocked out Dec. 6 at Vancouver.

Wilson, a former undrafted free agent who has become one of Colorado’s best overall blue-liners, said he has not seen a replay of Maxim Lapierre’s hit that violently forced his head against the glass during his first shift in a 7-0 loss at Rogers Arena.

“I don’t want to see it,” Wilson said after third skate in as many days . “It’s just the way my head hit the boards. I’d rather not see it. I just know how it made me feel. It’s just one of those weird plays. You go after pucks every game. That one time, my head jerked around pretty good.”

Wilson, 24, didn’t skate for nearly three weeks. He said he had a “light” headache until about a week ago.

“Everything is different. You just have to rest, and whenever it decides to go away, it goes away,” he said. “It was a really good feeling to wake up the one day with no headache. There is a gradual build-up. You jump on the bike, everything was good, and then it was time to step on the ice. I feel really good. The legs and lungs are going to take a little bit of time.”

Wilson is a feared open-ice hitter and a middleweight enforcer. He is perhaps Colorado’s most complete hockey player, given that he can also contribute on the power play and penalty kill.

“I have to play the same way to stay in the lineup,” he said. “I’ll (continue) to do whatever I can for the team. It shouldn’t change anything. These things happen. Injuries happen.”

Avs coach Joe Sacco said Wilson won’t play in Thursday’s game against the visiting Phoenix Coyotes, and there is no set timetable for Wilson’s return to the lineup. When he does return, he will continue to fight.

“Oh yeah, I’ll still drop them,” Wilson said. “It’s probably more dangerous to take a hit than get in a fight. It’s one of those things you have to do to stay in the lineup, and I’m willing to do that.”

Footnotes. Sacco said Semyon Varlamov will start in goal against the Coyotes and forward Chuck Kobasew (head injury) and defenseman Kyle Quincey (groin, healthy scratch) will return to the lineup. … Rookie Brad Malone likely will be scratched after making his NHL debut Dec. 9 and playing eight ensuing games. … Forwards David Jones (groin) and Peter Mueller (head) also participated in a full practice and might soon be available.

Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com

