Capitals' Erskine undergoes successful neck surgery
Kevin Hoffman / USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Capitals, who knew they wouldn't have John Erskine with them on their current road trip, placed the defenseman on injured reserve Wednesday.
Hours later, Adam Vingan of NHL.com reported that Erskine underwent successful surgery on his neck to repair a disc and will likely be moved to long term injured reserve.
Erskine is scheduled to begin an intensive rehab program within the next few weeks, the team says. Performed by Dr. John Starr in Bethesda.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) October 22, 2014
Erskine was a healthy scratch through five games this season and suffered the injury in practice Tuesday.