It's been a tough season for injuries for both Jacob Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets. The defenseman and team were dealt another bit of tough news on Tuesday.
Trouba, who made his return to the Winnipeg lineup Sunday after a 20-game absence due to an ankle injury, sustained a concussion in that game, head coach Paul Maurice confirmed Tuesday.
"He's in the protocol now. He feels good today, so that's a positive," Maurice said.
The injury occurred on Trouba's opening shift of the third period. Trouba attempted to make a defensive play at his own blue line on Stars forward Jamie Benn, who braced himself and barreled over Trouba, knocking down the Jets defenseman who attempted to get back on his skates, only to fall down.
Jacob Trouba goes to hit Jamie Benn and gets steamrolled. Leaves game with injury. pic.twitter.com/qR9lQULbGv
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) March 19, 2018
It was Trouba's first game back after missing 20 due to an ankle injury. Head coach Paul Maurice said the team had exercised the utmost caution in bringing him back to the lineup, making sure he passed a battery of tests before clearing him for a return.
"I'm a little bit sensitive, a little bit like I've had a little bit of a sunburn here; a little careful about walking out into the sunlight again," Maurice said.
Trouba joins a list of not only injured Jets this season, but Winnipeg players to be diagnosed with a concussion. Twice this year backup goaltender Steve Mason has been concussed, and most recently Michael Hutchinson, who was recalled to replace Mason, also was diagnosed with a concussion.
Maurice said there is no timeline for Trouba's return. The Jets are currently in second in the Central Division, six points up on the third-place Minnesota Wild with a game in hand, an 10 games remaining on Winnipeg's schedule.