Senators fans are once again waiting with baited breath to check on the status of star blueliner, Jake Sanderson. The feeling is unfortunately becoming all too familiar as it has been a recurring theme since training camp opened in mid-September.
Without question, Sanderson has been dealing with a lingering, undisclosed injury through training camp, the pre-season and now the regular season. Ahead of the Ottawa Senators preseason split squad game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 23, Sanderson didn’t skate. Tight-lipped head coach Travis Green did not seem concerned and would hardly describe it as an injury. With veterans taking maintenance days often throughout the preseason, it seemed like a non-issue.
Tight-lipped injury status
Sanderson participated in one preseason game versus the Montreal Canadiens on September 26 and despite showing glimmers of the 10th place Norris trophy candidate’s full potential with two shots, two hits and an assist, he was yanked after 13:22 of ice-time. Post-game, Green said that the decision was strictly precautionary and didn’t expect Sanderson to miss any time in the upcoming regular season. When Green later clarified that whatever caused Sanderson to leave the Montreal game was a separate issue from his previous undisclosed injury, it became apparent that these issues may be more than precautionary.
To some surprise after being sidelined from some practices leading up to the regular season, the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NHL draft suited up for the Senators season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite once again showing off his smooth skating and puck-moving capabilities for a short moment, Sanderson mustered just six shifts and 4:29 of ice-time in the first period and sat on the bench for the final minutes of the first period. He showed frustration on the bench from what appeared to be a reaggravated injury. Sanderson did not return for the rest of the game for an undisclosed reason.
Jake Sanderson left the game after just 4:29 TOI. Was seen showing frustration on the bench after his nagging injury flared up. #GoSensGo
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) October 4, 2026
Not good. Ottawa dealt with so many key injuries last season, and are right back to it in game one. pic.twitter.com/jq2EcgaVEn
Sanderson brings so much confidence to the Senators blue line and is one of the main reasons why the organization was one of the best defensive teams across the league last season. The team already struggled with a revolving door of injuries on the back end last season and history cannot repeat itself because the team cannot afford to lose him for a long period of time.
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