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.

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

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body ailment on Thursday and is considered week-to-week, head coach Craig Berube said.

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

These are tough times, suddenly, around the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’ve had three straight regulation losses for the first time all season, and now there’s an injury to John Tavares. Tavares left practice in obvious discomfort on Wednesday afternoon after getting awkwardly tied up with Chris Tanev during a power-play drill.