Damon Severson Ready for Blue Jackets' Season Opener, Expected to Skip Preseason

The Columbus Blue Jackets faced a significant challenge during the 2025-26 season when defenseman Damon Severson suffered a shoulder injury. His absence, along with that of Mathieu Olivier, contributed to the team's struggles, ending the season with a 2-8-1 record.

Severson underwent shoulder surgery on April 2nd. Fortunately, both Severson and the Blue Jackets have received positive news: he is expected to be fully prepared for the season's first game on October 1st against the Buffalo Sabres.

Severson Expected to Miss Preseason Games

General Manager Don Waddell provided an update on Severson's status on Wednesday morning, indicating a cautious approach leading up to the regular season.

“He’s ready to roll,” Waddell stated. “We’ll probably keep him out of the exhibition games. There’s no real reason for him to play in exhibition games. He’s here and he’s doing everything right now. We just want to be a little cautious and keep him away from heavy contact or anything like that. We’ll let him get back going. But I expect him to be ready for the start of the season.”

Severson is anticipated to participate in practices during training camp to gradually increase his intensity. If he plays in the opener, it will have been over six months since his last game.

Severson had his most successful season with the Blue Jackets in 2025-26, showcasing improvements both offensively and defensively. When he was on the ice at 5-on-5 last season, the Blue Jackets outscored their opponents by a margin of 63-51. His consistent presence, alongside Zach Werenski, significantly bolstered the team's performance for a considerable portion of the season.

Severson's return is poised to provide a substantial boost to the Blue Jackets as they aim to overcome their recent six-year playoff drought. Assuming no setbacks occur, he should be ready to reclaim his position on the top defensive pairing and potentially contribute to their second power-play unit.