Columbus Blue Jackets To Be Without Top Defenseman

The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed defenseman Zach Werenski in COVID-19 protocol.

Even if Werenski is only out for a few games, this is still horrible news for the Blue Jackets. At this time, they have a 15-14-1 record and are trying to get back into the playoff picture. With that, they are 3-6-1 over their last 10 games, so being without Werenski may make this rough patch even worse for them.

Fresh off of signing his big extension this summer, Werenski has been excellent for the Blue Jackets this campaign. In 30 games, he has six goals and 20 points. With the loss of Seth Jones, his importance on the back end is even higher, so it is always a major blow when he is out of the lineup.

The Blue Jackets are set to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, so this only makes the timing of Werenski's forced absence even worse. From there, however, they play the New Jersey Devils twice and then Chicago Blackhawks. Therefore, their schedule thankfully lightens up for them after.