How long is John Carlson out? Injury details, return date, latest news on Capitals defenseman

The Capitals have been hit hard with injuries this year, but Washington could soon be getting a boost on the blue line.

Capitals defenseman John Carlson is nearing a return after being out for almost three months with a head injury. 

The 33-year-old has not played for a couple of months, and the Capitals have suffered as a result. Since Carlson’s injury, Washington has a sub-.500 record during that time and finds itself outside of a playoff spot with a few weeks remaining in the regular season. 

“When things aren’t going the way you expect them to, and certainly when you’re not playing, it’s really difficult, Carlson said recently about the missed time. “It’s tough emotionally to see how hard they’re battling and see how things are going.

“Me not playing and coming in and tailor-making whatever I’m doing every day and how I feel and all that is fine-tuned, and their [day] is show up and deal with everything that’s going on. It’s difficult being on the outside.”

If the Capitals are to make a push for the postseason, getting the smooth-skating blue liner back on the back end would be a huge step in that direction. 

NHL PLAYOFF PICTURE: Updated standings, bracket, matchups & key dates for 2022-23 season

The Sporting News has the latest news on Carlson’s injury and a potential return date. 

What is John Carlson’s injury?

Carlson suffered a scary injury in a Dec. 23 contest against the Jets. The Capitals defenseman took a slap shot from Winnipeg defenseman Brendan Dillon right to the face, resulting in a bloody mess on the ice. 

Really Hope John Carlson Is Ok 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jRXvdIWaYr

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) December 24, 2022

He was rushed off the ice and received immediate medical attention. He was then transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center before being discharged the next day. 

As a result of the shot, Carlson suffered a fractured skull and a severed temporal artery. Despite undergoing numerous medical tests, he was not diagnosed with a concussion. 

“That was all the blood and stuff that was, at the time, the scarier — it still is, I guess — but the scarier of anything that happened,” Carlson recently said about the injury. “Just all the blood and everything. Whenever you see you know, that blood, you get a little weary of what’s happening and stuff. I’m sure I lost a little bit that day. They do say you get a lot of blood to the brain, so that’s a good thing for me in the moment.”

When will John Carlson return?

It’s been nearly three months since Carlson has played, but he could make his return soon to the Washington lineup.

In February, Carlson was back skating again. At first, it was on his own with other members of Washington’s coaching staff.

Carlson was getting more work in with Wendy Marco this morning. pic.twitter.com/rGCVyqlAT8

— Sammi Silber (@sammisilber) February 22, 2023

Then by March, he joined his teammates during practice, sporting a non-contact jersey for a few sessions.

John Carlson skating in no-contact jersey. It has been almost 3 months since taking a slap shot to the head. pic.twitter.com/BxSEAJztuu

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 8, 2023

It was only on March 20 that Carlson was spotted wearing a normal, full-contact sweater, a good sign for a potential return. 

John Carlson has officially ditched the non-contact jersey. pic.twitter.com/vD9YijpnyQ

— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) March 20, 2023

This has been the most missed time Carlson has had in his lengthy NHL career. According to Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette, Carlson is “close” to returning, but a date has not been set yet. 

John Carlson 2022-23 stats

Carlson was once again in the midst of an excellent season with the Capitals before his injury. 

The defenseman had 21 points in 30 games, including 13 assists, and logged 23:23 minutes per night. Only Rasmus Sandin, one of the newest Capitals, has a higher rate. He has played 24:56 per game since he was acquired by Washington at the deadline.