Ericsson (lower body) is "real close" to a return and should be able to play in Saturday's game, Ansar Khan of MLive reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ericsson has missed the last five games with the injury, but appears about ready to go. He will provide a little stability on the blue line, as Detroit has struggled with defenseman injuries as of late, but not a ton of offensive upside with nine points in 50 games.

Coach Ken Holland indicated Monday that Ericsson (lower body) won't return to the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Not much of an offensive threat (nine points in 50 games), Ericsson doesn't really provide much to be excited about in fantasy. Still, the Red Wings will certainly welcome his return when it occurs, but his next chance now comes Saturday against the Avalanche.

Ericsson (lower body) is aiming to return Tuesday against the Rangers, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

This effectively rules Ericsson out for road games Saturday and Sunday, but the defenseman added, "Tuesday is not out of the question." When healthy, Ericsson has proven capable of producing a point about once every five games, though his primary focus is slowing the opposition.

Ericsson (lower body) did not practice Wednesday and will not play in Thursday's game against the Penguins, Ansar Khan of MLive reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's still not clear what Ericsson is suffering from, but it's apparently severe enough to keep him out another game. He'll need to practice a couple times before getting back into a game, and his next chance to return will be a back-to-back Saturday and Sunday.

Ericsson (lower body) will again sit out Monday against the Islanders, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ericsson's expected to have suffered the injury in Friday's contest against the Avalanche, limiting him to just 15:22 of ice time compared to his 19:07 on average this season. Despite accumulating 48 shots on goal over 50 contests this season, the blueliner doesn't generally provide much on the offensive end (just nine points). In his absence Monday, Xavier Ouellet will once again draw into the lineup, with his next chance to return now coming Thursday against the Penguins.

Ericsson (lower body) will miss out on Sunday's matinee against Boston.

EDGE Analysis

The hulking defenseman is suspected to have suffered the injury in Friday's game against Colorado, a game in which he scored his second goal of the season. Ericsson was a game-time decision heading in to Sunday, so he's not expected to miss an extended period of time. The newly recalled Xavier Ouellet will take Ericsson's spot in the lineup Sunday.

Ericsson is dealing with a lower-body injury, leaving him questionable to oppose the Bruins on Sunday, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury appears to have come out of the blue, and Detroit wasted no time calling up defenseman Xavier Ouellet from AHL Grand Rapids on Saturday. Ericsson is a sound shutdown guy, but with only nine points in 50 games, it's unlikely that his potential absence will send many fantasy owners into a frenzy to find a replacement.

Ericsson registered his seventh assist of the season in Friday's 3-0 win against Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

With Niklas Kronwall out two to four weeks, Detroit needs a couple more defensemen to step up, and Ericsson did Friday night. He won't score real often (eight points on the year) but he was a plus-2 and fired a team-high five shots on goal against the Sabres.

Ericsson (upper body) will be in the lineup Thursday night against the Penguins, per Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ericsson is a big blueliner at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and he's prone to shutting down opponents. However, in fantasy leagues, there's simply not much incentive to roll out a guy who has missed the past five games and has just 88 points through 439 career appearances.

Ericsson won't play Tuesday against the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Tuesday's matchup with Winnipeg marks the fifth-straight contest Ericsson will miss with an upper-body injury he suffered on Dec. 18 against the Canucks. The 31-year-old blueliner will hope to return to action Thursday against Pittsburgh.