Blue Jackets' Werenski out for season with separated shoulder, torn labrum

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign after suffering a separated shoulder and a torn labrum Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Werenski failed to connect on a hit with Travis Konecny and crashed hard into the boards in the first period.

Fellow defensemen Nick Blankenburg and Erik Gudbranson also got hurt Thursday. Blankenburg is out six-to-eight weeks with a fractured ankle and a high ankle sprain, while Gudbranson is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

With Adam Boqvist still expected to miss another four weeks with a foot injury, Columbus is paper thin on defense. Here's the team's projected depth chart.

Bayreuther, Jiricek, and Bjork were recalled from the AHL in corresponding moves.

Werenski recorded three goals and five assists in 13 games this season while averaging a team-high 23:26. He logged just 6:03 of ice time Thursday. The 25-year-old is signed through 2027-28 with a $9.58-million cap hit.

Blankenburg, 24, tallied three points in seven appearances this season while averaging 18:02 per game.