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

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealt a significant blow with John Tavares landing on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury sustained in practice. The franchise announced Thursday that Tavares is listed as “week-to-week,” with his earliest possible return set for Jan. 25 against the Ottawa Senators.

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

The Maple Leafs have placed John Tavares on injured reserve with a lower-body injury that he suffered in 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.

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