Buffalo Sabres’ Josh Norris Sidelined Indefinitely with UpperBody Injury
Major Setback for Buffalo Sabres’ Season
Oct 11, 2025, 12:28 PM ET BOSTON — The Buffalo Sabres are facing a significant challenge as their topline center, Josh Norris, is out indefinitely due to an upperbody injury. Coach Lindy Ruff shared the update on Saturday, just before the Sabres’ game against Boston, revealing that Norris is expected to miss “a significant amount of time.” The injury occurred during the team’s seasonopening 40 loss to the New York Rangers.
Injury Concerns for Josh Norris
This new injury resembles a previous torn oblique that caused Norris to sit out the final month of the last season. The incident happened with about five minutes remaining in the game when Norris fell after losing a faceoff to Mika Zibanejad near the Sabres’ bench.
Josh Norris’ Injury History
At 26, Norris has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including three operations to address shoulder issues dating back to his college days at Michigan. His most recent injury poses another hurdle for both him and the Sabres.
Impact on Buffalo Sabres’ Strategy
The absence of Norris is a substantial blow to the Buffalo Sabres, who acquired the center from the Ottawa Senators in a trade involving Dylan Cozens and Dennis Gilbert in March. Norris has consistently been a top performer, surpassing 20 goals in three separate seasons, with a careerhigh 35 goals in the 202122 season. Despite his talent, injuries have prevented Norris from completing a full season in his fiveyear career.
Potential Adjustments for the Sabres
With Norris sidelined, here’s what the Sabres might consider:
- Reevaluating the team’s offensive strategy and lineup.
- Exploring potential trades or callups to fill the gap left by Norris.
- Enhancing focus on player fitness and preventive measures to avoid future injuries.
The Buffalo Sabres are now tasked with navigating the early part of the season without one of their key players. As they adjust, Emegypt will continue providing updates on Norris’ recovery and the team’s strategic moves.