Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski out for remainder of season with shoulder injuries

The Columbus Blue Jackets are shutting down Zach Werenski for the remainder of the regular season as their top defender sustained a torn labrum and separated shoulder Thursday night.

Werenski left during the first period of Columbus’ win over the Philadelphia Flyers after he went into the boards awkwardly following a missed check on Travis Konecny.

The 25-year-old Werenski, who was drafted eighth overall by Columbus in 2015, recorded three goals and five assists in 13 games this year while averaging 23:36 minutes of ice time.

Columbus also placed defenceman Nick Blankenburg plus forwards Sean Kuraly and Jakub Voracek on injured reserve Friday.

Both Kuraly and Voracek are out with unspecified upper-body injuries. Blankenburg is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks due to a fractured ankle and high ankle sprain.

The Blue Jackets are last in the Eastern Conference with a 4-9-0 record.

Werenski is in the first season of an eight-year, $57.5-million contract and has a cap hit of $9.5 million.