El Segundo, Calif. ? Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal may not return to the lineup Tuesday night, as the team originally hoped.

O’Neal has been on the injured list all season while recovering from surgery on his right toe. The Lakers had pinpointed Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center as when he would play.

But after practicing Sunday at the Lakers’ Health South practice facility, it didn’t sound as if O’Neal would be ready.

“Right now, I don’t think that he’s in a position where he feels comfortable enough to play,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

O’Neal and his doctors said he might be able to play eight weeks after the surgery nine weeks ago on Sept. 11.

Jackson said O’Neal still is feeling pain in the bottom of the right foot.

“I still think he has some questions about dealing with that,” Jackson said.

O’Neal did not comment after practice Sunday. But he did work out until Jackson pulled O’Neal out.

Jackson said he didn’t want to push O’Neal in practice. When O’Neal does return to play, he will play just 30 minutes per game until he gets into shape, Jackson said.

“I think it’s a matter of testing out what he can possibly do,” he said.