Roughead, 25, has never had a specific return timeframe set for him because of the extreme nature of the injury - with many suggesting he would struggle to play a meaningful part in the Hawks’ 2012 campaign.
The inspirational forward suffered the horror injury in June last season and then contracted an infection in the tendon in December, but Puopolo said his big teammate was now nearly completing full sessions.
“Yeah ‘Roughy’ is coming along pretty well,” Puopolo told Radio Sports National.
“I don’t think there’s an actual set date for him, but he’s nearly into full training.
“So it’s coming along real fast. It’s good for us."
Puopolo, 24, was a first-year revelation for the Hawks last season, playing 20 games, after being drafted as a mature-age recruit in 2010.
The former Norwood pocket rocket identified the next wave of potential break-out stars, with youngsters Tom Schneider and Alex Woodward at the top of his list.
“There’s a couple that are really standing out - Tom Schneider’s had a really good pre-season - he’s an inside midfielder and he gets a lot of the footy,” Puopolo said.
“So he might be coming through - he’s still on the rookie list, but he’s one to watch.
“And Alex Woodward - he’s one they just picked up, but I reckon he could play this year if he gets the opportunities.
“He might be a bit of a stand-out. He might be a bit of a Sam Mitchell with the way he gets the ball.”
The Hawks took Sandringham 18-year-old Woodward with their third pick of the 2011 national draft.
Puopolo said as a mature-age recruit he had joined the Hawks with a different perspective than a lot of his younger teammates.
The tough defender admitted his status as an older rookie had made it a bit more difficult to settle into life as an AFL footballer.
“It took a couple of games because for me - and Isaac Smith - as you’re a little bit older, you’re a little bit more developed than the younger guys,” Puopolo said.
“So you’re always a little bit ahead - maybe not skill-wise and all that, but just in general life.
“And one thing that you learn as a youngster is - it’s just not always about footy, it’s about growing as a person as well.
“I think when you’re a little bit older, you tend to learn a lot more by life experiences, like working and doing that kind of stuff.
“And it’s harder for the young kids because they come straight out of school.
“So for us, it took us a couple of games and a few little errors - and then you’re working with the boys and working with all the coaching staff, and you really feel a part of the team."