Columbus Blue Jackets Place Damon Severson on IR

The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to maintain their playoff spot in the Eastern Conference without one of their best defenceman.

Damon Severson has suffered an upper-body injury, and will be out multiple weeks as the team has placed the right-handed blueliner on injured reserve. Blue Jackets' head coach Rick Bowness spoke to the media on Friday and informed the media of Severson's condition. He suffered the injury during Thursday night's game against the Montreal Canadiens. Canadiens' forward Zac Bolduc collided with Severson in the corner during the third period, and the check stunned Severson, who left the game immediately.

Damon Severson had to leave the game after some contact with Zachary Bolduc. pic.twitter.com/MkHC8vMaDf

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) March 27, 2026

The 31-year-old Severson was having a solid game before departing, logging 21:23 in 21 shifts, and had scored on one of his two shots on net. The Blue Jackets are just one point up, holding the third spot in the Metropolitan Division.

As Bowness put it, this is terrible timing for the club, and it's certainly a massive hole for the Blue Jackets on the right side of the d-core. Severson's known for being a complete defenceman, impacting the game in all three zones. Through 71 games this season, he's scored eight goals and 24 assists, for 32 points. He's averaging just over 21 minutes per game and is sitting at a career best +18 rating.

Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images