The 31-year-old left-hander has been named in the Otago side for its match against Northern Districts at the University of Otago Oval on Sunday.
He missed the last two matches with concussion.
Rutherford sustained a knock to the head during a training session in the leadup to the Ford Trophy but still played in the opening two games of the campaign.
"I didn’t really think much about it [at the time] but played the game and just didn’t feel right," Rutherford said.
He managed to whack 97 from 59 balls to set up a six-wicket win against Central Districts at Pukekura Park.
Rutherford felt fine in between games and played in the return match against the Stags and clouted 62 from 27.
But he woke up the next morning feeling "ropey" and went to the doctor and was advised to have a break and work through the return-to-play protocols.
He has done that and pending a final medical clearance will play on Sunday.
But the former international has a worrying history with concussion. He picked up two concussions last season and earlier in his career he was collared by a bouncer from Northern Districts quick Scott Kuggeleijn and had three months off.
He has had five concussion-enforced breaks during his career.
Last year, former Otago top-order batsman Shawn Hicks retired following a series of head knocks.
Hicks was just 23 but decided it was no longer worth the risk to continue playing.
"There is a bigger awareness now and there are great processes in place that you need to follow, so I feel fine about [returning to play]," Rutherford said when asked if he was worried about the long-term effects of multiple concussions.
"The research I’ve been told and what I’ve discussed with doctors is as long as you recover properly, and you don’t have any ongoing issues, then it should not be a problem.
"But this is just the research at the moment.
"With that case in rugby — there is probably not the research to back a lot of stuff that is going on. They are now going through it and studying it, I suppose.
"But as I said, at the moment I’m fine."
Rutherford was referring to the lawsuit World Rugby is preparing to face.
Former England hooker Steve Thompson is one of eight former players planning to sue World Rugby for negligence in relation to the effects of concussion.
Thompson helped England win the World Cup in Australia in 2003 but the 42-year-old says he now cannot remember the event.
