Flyers' Couturier week-to-week with upper-body injury

Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier is week-to-week with an upper-body injury and will be re-evaluated during training camp, general manager Chuck Fletcher announced Monday.

The Flyers said last week that Couturier received final medical clearance and would be a full participant in training camp.

Couturier played just 29 games last season due to a back injury. He underwent surgery in February.

Anthony SanFilippo of Crossing Broad reported Monday that Couturier would miss significant time to start the 2022-23 campaign after suffering a herniated disc in his back during strength and conditioning drills last week. However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman followed up by stating that the injury's severity is still being determined.

More detail on @AntSanPhilly story here: Couturier and Flyers are seeking a second opinion to determine exact nature of injury. Pain occurred within the last few days during a skate. While it is in same area as previous injury, there is not yet certainty it is the same injury. https://t.co/H0yNQAPWCB

- Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 19, 2022

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli added that the Flyers are hoping Couturier's back heals in six-to-eight weeks. If it doesn't, he would reportedly need surgery.

Couturier tallied six goals and 11 assists in 29 games last season. His 0.59 points per game is his worst mark since 2016-17.

The 29-year-old won the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 2019-20. He's set to enter the first season of an eight-year, $62-million extension he signed during the 2021 offseason.

Behind Couturier, the Flyers' center depth consists of Kevin Hayes, Scott Laughton, Morgan Frost, Patrick Brown, and Artem Anisimov, who Philadelphia signed to a professional tryout Monday.

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