The Maple Leafs have placed John Tavares on injured reserve with a lower-body injury that he suffered in practice

The Leafs announced Thursday that Tavares had been placed on IR while listing him as “week-to-week” to make his return. Per the NHL rulebook, Tavares will be forced to miss at least seven days while on IR.

With Tavares out for at least four games, a Maple Leafs team that was already light on centre depth will now see its options tested.