The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without John Tavares for some time after a freak injury at a recent practice put him on the shelf. Tavares left a Maple Leafs workout early when an inadvertent trip and awkward fall forced him to suffer a lower-body injury.

John Tavares is week to week for the Toronto Maple Leafs with a lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve Thursday. The center left practice early Wednesday after he took an awkward fall along the boards during a power-play drill.

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.

Toronto will be without one of its biggest contributors for the near future after a drill mishap on Wednesday.

The Maple Leafs announced that they’ve placed center John Tavares on injured reserve with the lower-body injury he suffered in practice Wednesday, ruling him out of the club’s next four games. Youngster Fraser Minten was recalled from AHL Toronto in a corresponding transaction and will likely suit up in Thursday night’s game against the Devils.

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

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares is being evaluated after sustaining an apparent leg injury during Wednesday's practice.