The Blue Jackets announced Friday that they are placing defenseman Zach Werenski on injured reserve with a right quad contusion that they expect will sideline him for one-to-two weeks. The club recalled defenseman David Jiricek from the AHL's Cleveland Monsters in a corresponding move.
Werenski left Thursday's season opener against the Flyers after colliding with Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway in the second period. Hathaway initially received a major penalty, but it was reduced to a minor for kneeing.
Zach Werenski leaves the game following a scary knee-on-knee collision with Garnet Hathaway.
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 13, 2023
Hathaway was given a 2-minute minor for kneeing on the play. pic.twitter.com/X01AzYFR55
Jiricek, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, played four NHL games last season in addition to being an AHL All-Star and a member of the AHL's Top Prospect Team.
On Thursday, Werenski played in his first NHL regular-season game since November 10, 2022, when he suffered a season-ending torn labrum just 13 games into the campaign.
The following is a table with the team's schedule for the rest of October:
| Date | Opponent | Days Since Werenski suffered Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 14 | vs. NYR | Two Days |
| Oct. 16 | vs. DET | Four Days |
| Oct. 20 | vs. CGY | Eight Days |
| Oct. 21 | @ MIN | Nine Days |
| Oct. 24 | vs. ANA | 12 Days |
| Oct. 26 | @ MTL | 14 Days |
| Oct. 28 | vs. NYI | 16 Days |
| Oct. 30 | @ DAL | 18 Days |
Werenski is expected to miss between two and five games.
Will Jiricek help off-set the short-term loss of Werenski?
