Report: Blue Jackets' Atkinson to miss 4-6 weeks with fractured foot

The injury-riddled Columbus Blue Jackets received some more lousy news Monday, as forward Cam Atkinson will require surgery on his fractured right foot and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

Atkinson, who will undergo surgery either Tuesday or Wednesday, was felled by a slap shot from Seth Jones in the first period of Saturday's tilt with the Philadelphia Flyers, but the 28-year-old remained in the game, logging heavy minutes (22:26) in the eventual shootout victory at Nationwide Arena.

Now, though, the Blue Jackets could be without Atkinson until February, with his foot injury further depleting a roster already decimated by injuries to defensemen Zach Werenski and Ryan Murray, as well as forwards Alexander Wennberg and Brandon Dubinsky.

That said, Atkinson has struggled this season following a terrific 2016-2017 campaign in which he set new career highs in goals (35), assists (27), and plus-minus (13). Through 32 games this year, Atkinson - a healthy scratch against the Arizona Coyotes earlier this month - has just six goals and seven assists, tying him with Nick Foligno for eighth on the team in points.

Copyright (C) 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.