Sharks place Thornton on IR after swelling in knee

The injury bug has taken a significant bite out of the San Jose Sharks early in the season, as forward Joe Thornton has been placed on the injured reserve after experiencing swelling in his surgically-repaired right knee, according to Paul Gackle of the Mercury News.

Thornton flew back to the Bay Area amid the club's four-game road trip to visit doctors, but head coach Peter DeBoer says it's only precautionary.

"He had a little bit of swelling after the last game, and rather than continue on the road and risk anything with it, we're going to take the safe route and get him home and get it looked at," he said.

The earliest Thornton could rejoin the Sharks would be in one week, but at this point, there's no clear timetable on a return.

Thornton has been battling frequent knee problems as of late. The 39-year-old was sidelined for the final 35 games and the playoffs last season after tearing his ACL and MCL in his right knee, nine months after doing the same to his left.

He signed a one-year contract to remain with the Sharks over the offseason, and sits on the cusp of two major milestones, needing just five more games for 1,500 and three goals for 400 in his Hall of Fame career.