Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent said defenseman Zach Werenski is still being diagnosed with a lower-body injury, saying it’s looking more like a “week-to-week” situation instead of a day-to-day one, according to Columbus Dispatch reporter Brian Hedger.
The incident occurred midway through the second period of their Wednesday night game against the New Jersey Devils after an awkward collision with Ondrej Palat. He struggled to get to the bench and was helped down the hall, later being ruled out for the rest of the game.
This is not the first time Werenski suffered a lower-body injury this season. During the team’s home opener back in October, the former University of Michigan star suffered a quad contusion, missing over a week.
Werenski has scored a goal and 24 assists so far, which leads the Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old was on pace to surpass his career-best 48 points, which he set during the 2021-22 season.
The Grosse Pointe, Mich. native has hit the 40-point mark four times in his eight-year career, including 47 points during his rookie season in 2016-17.
The Blue Jackets (11-18-7) are at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, 12 points back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third, 11 points out of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Their next game is Friday at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The two teams faced off earlier in the week, with the Blue Jackets losing 4-1.
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