PUEBLO, Colo. – A few weeks ago, putting on his socks was a herculean task for injured world No. 1 Jess Lockwood.

The difficulty was less about pain from his broken left collarbone, but rather just having a lack of mobility or use of his left arm.

“Putting on my socks is like the hardest thing because you have to reach down, and push and pull, with your arm extended pretty much,” Lockwood told PBR.com on Tuesday, chuckling. “It doesn’t hurt no more. But I am still stiff.”

Lockwood’s current absence from the Unleash The Beast has been a nuisance for a variety of reasons, but having to perform daily tasks proved the most difficult.

“Two weeks ago I couldn’t put on a shirt still,” Lockwood said. “It would hurt too. Now I can pick up stuff and do everything with it.

“Another two weeks and it should be pretty much back to normal.”

Lockwood confirmed that he is on pace for a return to competition on March 23 at the Caterpillar Classic in Kansas City after missing the past four events.

That is subject to change if Dr. Tandy Freeman advises him to sit out longer, but Lockwood is confident all things are looking good.

“It feels good,” Lockwood said. “It was a little sore after doing (ranch work at home on Monday), and a little sore this morning, but as soon as I get to moving it I can do damn near everything except pick up some stuff. But I still have two more weeks.”

Lockwood will meet with Freeman late next week to get official clearance to return.

“If Tandy is really not wanting me to go, I won’t go," Lockwood said. "But I think I am going to be perfectly fine.”

Lockwood broke his collarbone attempting to ride Wild Goose at the WinStar World Casino & Resort Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy, on Feb. 9.

The Volborg, Montana, bull rider had a 967.5-point lead atop the world standings at the time of his injury.

Lockwood’s challengers in the world standings have pounced at his misfortune.

There are now four riders within 870 points of him – No. 2 Joao Ricardo Vieira (-102.5), No. 3 Jose Vitor Leme (-335.84), No. 4 Chase Outlaw (-380) and No. 5 Luciano de Castro (-870).

Vieira could takeover the world lead with a victory at the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour event in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday night. Leme could cut his deficit to 115.84 if he sweeps the event.

Fans can watch all the action from Dayton exclusively on RidePass at 8 p.m. ET.

“I’m not too worried,” Lockwood said. “I gave them five weeks and they couldn’t catch me. It still sucked sitting at home.”

Lockwood has been the world No. 1 bull rider since he won the Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden, presented by Ariat, to begin the 2019 season.

He only got better from there, winning the next event in Chicago and placing third at the Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show.

Lockwood’s performance in Denver, which netted him 105 world points, is chronicled on the season-debut of “PBR Ride to Glory” on Ride TV Tuesday night.

“PBR Ride To Glory” follows the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour and other exciting bull riding events and the long road to glory facing cowboys as they travel across the country to challenge America’s fiercest bulls.

Lockwood was 13-for-19 (68.42 percent) with two 90-point rides before being forced to the sidelines by Wild Goose. His riding percentage on the Unleash The Beast is tops in the PBR.

He expects to regain his form when he gets back inside the chutes at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.

“I am going to get on some practice bulls before I come back,” Lockwood said. “If there is any rust, it will get knocked off. I don’t think I will be too rusty. When I was hurt last year two months before the World Finals, all I got on was one bull before Vegas and I rode good there.

“I am mature enough now to where I don’t play such a head case with myself. I know how good I can ride. My mindset doesn’t get too bad anymore. My body doesn’t get too bad where it doesn’t react like it should. I am riding good nowadays.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko