Maks Chmerkovskiy may be back in the ballroom before we know it!
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On Monday night, the dance pro cheered his season 24 partner, Heather Morris, on from the crowd as he sat out another week following a nasty calf injury. Chmerkovskiy was injured during week two rehearsals and Alan Bersten has been filling in for him.
Co-host Erin Andrews wasted no time asking Chmerkovskiy for an update on his progress during “Vegas Night.”
“What is the latest with you?” she asked.
“I’m walking now. I’m making strides a little faster than expected. I’m hoping for like a full comeback end of this week. And then we’ll start rehearsing,” Chmerkovskiy answered.
PEOPLE caught up with the pro after the show and he talked more about when he will be expected to return to the competition.
“Not this week. My goal is next week. This week I just don’t want to do something stupid and regret it. I want to do the right thing. If this is the result of one week then I’m sure I’ll be more than ready,” he said. He added that though he will not be performing, he will be a crucial part of the Bersten and Morris’ rehearsal for week four.
He also admitted that he was surprised how quickly he was back on his feet (pun intended) after having surgery to correct the injury.
“I was walking three days in. It’s pretty wild. I’m trying to get back 100 percent,” he said. “I’m just trying to come back and dance.”
“Dancing with the Stars” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.