Red Wings’ Smith Out 2-4 Weeks With Hurt Shoulder

February 5, 2013 8:29 AM

Brendan Smith #2 of the Detroit Red Wings checks Jared Boll #40 of the Columbus Blue Jackets while chasing after a loose puck on February 2, 2013 at Nationwide Arena. (Getty Images/Kirk Irwin)

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings have taken another hit on defense.

Detroit put rookie Brendan Smith on injured reserve Monday and he will be out two to four weeks with a sprained right shoulder.

The Red Wings also sent goaltender Thomas McCollum to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. They called up and forward Tomas Tatar from the Griffins along with goalie Petr Mrazek to eventually give Jimmy Howard a break. Howard has played in all of Detroit’s eight games this season because backup Jonas Gustavsson has been out with a groin injury.

Detroit recently got banged-up defensemen Jonathan Ericsson and Jakub KIndl on the ice and has been without defensemen Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo because of injuries.