Columbus Blue Jackets Dealt Brutal Injury Blow

The Columbus Blue Jackets faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night and in the first period, defenseman Zach Werenski left the game with an upper-body injury.

The Blue Jackets best defenseman is going to be out for a while, Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen admitted after the game, the news is not going to be good on Werenski's injury front.

INJURY UPDATE: #CBJ D Zach Werenski suffered an upper body injury in the 1st period and will not return to tonight's game vs. the Flyers.
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) November 11, 2022

#CBJ coach Brad Larsen on Zach Werenski injury. “It’s not good (news) on Z. It’s not good at all.”
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 11, 2022

A replay of Werenski going down in the corner. He immediately went down the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/20jaqTDWgr
— CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) November 11, 2022

From the looks of the incident and considering the mood, it's likely we'll hear the injury is a separated shoulder, but to this point that's just speculation. So far in 13 games, Werenski has recorded eight points and plays over 23 minutes a night for the team. Huge loss in Columbus as the Blue Jackets defense has a gaping hole without their leader.

Photo credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports