(AP)

The 76ers’ Arnett Moultrie could be cleared to resume basketball activity as early as Thanksgiving.

The second-year forward, who had surgery in September to repair the medial malleolus in his left ankle, has not participated in any of the preseason. This week, he shed his crutches in favor of a walking boot.

“Progress has been good,” Moultrie said Wednesday, before the Sixers hosted Miami in the season opener. “We’re in Week 5. By Week 8, I’ll be cleared to play and that’s around Thanksgiving. It’s up to me to get in shape from there.

As for when he can play again, initial reports on Moultrie said the 6-10 forward would be out until January.

“But hopefully it doesn’t take that long,” he said.

Moultrie averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per appearance last season as a rookie.