According to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site, Johnson (shoulder) won't play Monday versus Boston, but he is getting close to returning to the lineup.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson will miss his 14th straight game after suffering a shoulder injury against Buffalo on Oct. 17. He started the 2024-25 campaign with two goals, five points and eight shots on net in four appearances. Once healthy, Johnson could slot into a top-six role and see power-play time, making him an intriguing fantasy option.

Johnson (shoulder) is practicing Thursday for the first time since he was injured Oct. 17, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was off to a fast start with two goals and five points in four games before he was hurt. The 22-year-old was selected fifth overall in 2021 and had a tough 2023-24 campaign in which he had six goals and 16 points in only 42 regular-season games. He also spent time at AHL Cleveland last season -- recording five goals and 10 assists in 10 appearances -- after playing 79 regular-season games as a 19-year-old with the Blue Jackets. Look for Johnson to have a top-six role upon his return.

Johnson (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson hasn't played since Oct. 17, and his return to the lineup isn't imminent. The move to IR will open a potential roster spot for Columbus. The 22-year-old forward has two goals, three assists and eight shots on net through four appearances this season.

Johnson (shoulder) skated after Columbus' main practice Monday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson is not expected back until late November due to his long-term shoulder injury, but it certainly could have been longer had he required surgery. While it's a step in the right direction, fantasy managers probably shouldn't get too excited about the imminent return of the 22-year-old center until he takes contact in a full practice.

Per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Johnson will not require surgery on his left shoulder, general manager Don Waddell said Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was injured Oct. 17 versus the Sabres. The Blue Jackets' medical staff thinks that the injury can be treated with rehab but that Johnson will be out indefinitely. Johnson was off to a hot start with two goals and five points in four games, showing why he was selected fifth overall in the 2021 Draft.

Per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Johnson (upper body) will not be out "short term," according to coach Dean Evason.

EDGE Analysis

After an injury-shortened 2023-24 in which the 21-year-old forward had six goals and 10 assists in 42 regular-season appearances, Johnson started the 2024-25 campaign with a bang, scoring twice and adding three assists in four games. Johnson's absence will sting because the Columbus lineup has already been depleted by injuries this season.

Johnson's upper-body injury looks like it will cost him time, but the Blue Jackets will know more on the 21-year-old's status Friday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Dean Evason had a similar reaction to Johnson's injury as the one Erik Gudbranson (upper body) suffered earlier in the week, which landed the defenseman on injured reserve. Johnson was off to a great start with five points in four appearances this season, but it looks like his potential breakout campaign will be paused. Kevin Labanc would likely draw back into the lineup if Johnson is officially ruled out for Saturday's game versus the Wild.

Johnson left Thursday's game against Buffalo due to an upper-body injury and won't return.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson registered an assist in 6:26 of ice time before exiting the contest. The Blue Jackets' next game is Saturday against Minnesota. If Johnson isn't available for that clash, then Kevin Labanc might draw into the lineup.

Johnson scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson stretched the Blue Jackets' lead to 2-0 in the first period. The 21-year-old has two goals, one assist and six shots on net over the first two games of the year. More impressively, he led all Columbus forwards with 21:30 of ice time despite beginning the game in a third-line role. He's poised for a breakout campaign after being limited to 16 points in 42 contests in 2023-24. He had a 40-point rookie year in 2022-23, and if he finds his way into a top-six role, he'll have a good chance of pushing past that mark.

Johnson notched a goal and a power-play assist in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was the Blue Jackets' best player in this game and was directly involved in the team's two goals, slotting a wrist shot past Filip Gustavsson in the early stages of the second period and then setting up Zach Werenski's power-play goal in the third. Johnson notched 16 points in 42 contests during the 2023-24 campaign, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the 21-year-old forward surpass that tally in 2024-25 as long as he remains healthy.