Drake Batherson's status for the start of the season is now uncertain.
Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green announced Wednesday that the winger has a pulled muscle in his upper body and will miss at least two weeks.
The news comes after Batherson left Tuesday's practice early and did not attend Wednesday's.
The 28-year-old posted a career-high 68 points (26 goals and 42 assists) in 82 games last season and added one goal and one assist in six playoff games.
The Senators have five pre-season games remaining before their season opener on the road on Oct. 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, just over two weeks away.
Defenceman Tyler Kleven was also absent from Wednesday's practice, but Green said Tuesday he expected him back on the ice "in the next day or two."
Kleven exited Ottawa's first pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday after an awkward crash into the endboards.
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