Head coach Lindy Ruff said that Norris (ribs) is progressing in his recovery but won't play in Monday's game against the Panthers, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Norris was upgraded to day-to-day last week, but he hasn't yet received the green light to return to game action. Following Monday's matchup, the Sabres have two more games on their schedule before the Olympic break, but it's not yet clear if the 26-year-old will be available Tuesday against the Lightning or Thursday against the Penguins.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Labeled day-to-day
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Norris has been classified as day-to-day by head coach Lindy Ruff, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports Monday, but won't play this week, per Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.
Norris being labeled day-to-day but then being ruled out for the next three games is a little strange, but either way, he certainly seems to be heading in the right direction. Prior to getting hurt, the 26-year-old Michigan native was rolling offensively with seven points in his last nine outings. Norris should slot into a middle-six role once back in the lineup.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Moves to IR
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Norris (ribs) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.
Norris is week-to-week and will miss his third straight game against Carolina on Monday. It's unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. Norris has provided six goals, 17 points, 27 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and six hits in only 19 appearances this season.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Not playing Saturday
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Norris (ribs) has been ruled out of Saturday's clash versus Minnesota, according to Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.
Norris took a cross-check to his ribs Wednesday against the Flyers and will miss his second straight game due to the injury. The talented, but injury-prone center, has six goals and 17 points in 19 games this season. He could return as early as Monday in Carolina.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Dealing with rib issue
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Norris took a cross-check to the ribs that knocked him out of Wednesday's game versus the Flyers, and he'll be evaluated Thursday prior to the Sabres' game against the Canadiens, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.
This confirms Norris avoided a concussion as well as any additional damage to his shoulder, which has been a concern throughout his career. Norris is likely day-to-day at this point, though his evaluation Thursday will provide more information about his status.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Sustains upper-body injury
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Norris (upper body) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Flyers.
Norris was hurt in the second period, though he was able to pick up an assist before his exit. With a lack of additional details, it's fair to be concerned about Norris' status, given his lengthy history of injuries, particularly of the upper-body variety. It's unclear if he'll be able to suit up in Thursday's game versus the Canadiens.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Fills empty cage
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Norris scored an empty-net goal on four shots, blocked three shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Ducks.
The Ducks pushed late, but Norris slammed the door after Alex Tuch won a puck battle. Norris has two empty-net goals and four assists over his last seven contests. The 26-year-old is up to six goals, 16 points, 27 shots on net, 10 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 17 appearances. He should remain productive in a top-six role as long as he can stay healthy.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Scores equalizer in Sunday's win
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Norris scored a goal in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Devils.
Norris' tally early in the second period answered Jack Hughes' goal from the first. The 26-year-old Norris has gotten on the scoresheet in seven of his last eight games, racking up four goals and six assists in that span. He's in a second-line role and looking productive as long as he can avoid another lengthy injury absence.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Available Sunday
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Norris (illness) will suit up for Sunday's road matchup versus the Kraken, per Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News.
Norris will return to the lineup following a two-game absence. Prior to that short stint on the sidelines, Norris provided two goals and seven points across four contests after returning from an upper-body injury that cost him 24 games. The 26-year-old is expected to center the third line between Noah Ostlund and Alex Tuch on Sunday.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Under the weather
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Norris missed Tuesday's game versus the Oilers due to both illness and soreness, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.
Norris apparently isn't feeling well, though the soreness could be a lingering concern given his injury history. The 26-year-old can be considered day-to-day for now, and it's unclear if he'll play Thursday in Vancouver.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Late scratch Tuesday
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Norris (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday versus the Oilers.
Norris was in warmups and expected to play, but he ultimately was scratched right before puck drop. It's a tough break for the oft-injured 26-year-old, though the team has not revealed the reason for his absence. Tyson Kozak will move up to the second line to cover Norris' absence.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Trio of points in return
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Norris scored two goals, collected a power-play assist and recorded three shots in Monday's 5-1 win over the Jets.
Norris excelled in his return to the lineup after missing 24 games due to an upper-body injury. He recorded a secondary helper on a power-play goal under three minutes into regulation before he scored a goal in each of the first and third periods. The Sabres displayed their faith in the 26-year-old forward by inserting him into the top-line center role alongside Tage Thompson, who moved to the right wing. Norris is set to benefit from that role and can provide decent coverage stats in fantasy. If he can stay healthy, Norris has great goal-scoring potential, making him a solid streaming option for the time being in most fantasy formats.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Good to go
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Norris (upper body) will be activated from injured reserve ahead of his return to the lineup against Winnipeg on Monday.
Following a 24-game absence, Norris will skate on the top line and see time on the first power-play combination. He had four shots on goal and one hit in 18:51 of ice time against the Rangers on Oct. 9 before his injury. Norris has plenty of potential in banger leagues, but staying healthy has been a problem for him.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Won't be an option Wednesday
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Norris (upper body) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup in Pittsburgh, but he might be an option for games against the Devils and Wild on Friday and Saturday, respectively, per Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.
Norris skated on a line with Zach Benson and Noah Ostlund during Tuesday's practice, so it looks like he's closing in on a return to game action. The 26-year-old Norris' eventual addition to the lineup will be a big boost for the Sabres, who have played much better of late. Norris has been sidelined for all but one of the team's games in 2025-26.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Hurt late in Thursday's game
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Norris (upper body) was injured late Thursday versus the Rangers and did not finish the game, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Head coach Lindy Ruff did not sound particularly optimistic when asked about Norris' status after the game, but no further details were available. At this point, the Sabres may have to face the Bruins on Saturday without Norris, though they could get Zach Benson (face) back. An update on Norris' health should be available prior to Saturday's contest.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Takes ice for first practice
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Norris (oblique) centered the Sabres' top line on the first day of training camp Thursday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Norris was sidelined for the last 18 games of the campaign in 2024-25, making just three appearances with the Sabres after being traded from the Senators. The 26-year-old was flanked by Zach Benson and Tage Thompson, which suggests head coach Lindy Ruff may continue to use Thompson on the wing and Norris at center early in 2025-26. If he can stay healthy, Norris has 30-goal, 60-point potential, but he has missed at least 16 games in each of the last four seasons.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Dealing with soft-tissue injury
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Norris' undisclosed injury is a soft-tissue injury that the Sabres knew about before acquiring him from the Senators, Brian Koziol of WGR reports.
Norris reportedly would have been available at some point in the playoffs had the Sabres qualified. This suggests he could be officially cleared during the offseason and shouldn't be too significantly impacted in his training routine. Norris will end up having missed the last 18 games of the season, finishing with 35 points across 56 appearances between Buffalo and Ottawa. He'll be in line for top-six minutes if he's healthy to begin 2025-26.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Likely done for season
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Norris (undisclosed) probably won't return before the end of the regular season, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports Saturday.
Norris will miss his 15th straight game versus Florida on Saturday. He has appeared in only three games with the Sabres since being acquired from the Senators on March 7. Norris is poised to conclude the 2024-25 campaign with 21 goals, 35 points, 96 shots on net, 47 blocked shots and 135 hits across 56 appearances between Buffalo and Ottawa. If he can stay healthy, he could occupy a top-six role for the Sabres in 2025-26.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Unavailable Thursday
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Norris (mid-body) will not play Thursday in Columbus.
Norris will miss his 14th straight game. The Sabres are still hopeful he can return to the lineup before the end of the season, which ends next Thursday against the Flyers. Norris has one goal and one assist over three games with the Sabres after tallying 20 goals and 13 helpers across 53 contests with the Senators before his trade to Buffalo at the deadline.
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Sabres' Josh Norris: Still rehabbing injury
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Norris (undisclosed) did not travel with the team and will not play Tuesday against the Senators, according to TSN 1200 Ottawa.
Norris will remain sidelined for a 10th consecutive game Tuesday as he works his way back to full strength. The left-shot center had cracked the scoresheet in back-to-back games prior to getting injured. Jiri Kulich and Ryan McLeod will continue to round out the center position in the top six while Norris is sidelined. Since a timeline for Norris to return to game action is not clear, fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on the 25-year-old for the fantasy playoffs.
