Blackhawks' Jones out about 4 weeks with foot injury

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones is expected to miss around four weeks with a foot injury, head coach Luke Richardson announced Wednesday, per The Athletic's Mark Lazerus.

Jones was hurt blocking a shot during last Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

The Blackhawks have already played two games without their top rearguard in the lineup, and they dropped both in regulation.

Jones leads the entire league in average ice time (25:43) and has registered two goals and 10 points - half of which have come on the power play - in 17 games so far this season. He's under contract through the 2029-30 campaign with a $9.5-million cap hit.

This is Jones' fourth season in the Windy City after being traded there by the Columbus Blue Jackets in July 2021. His 129 points and 445 blocks since his arrival are the second most on the Blackhawks and he leads the team with 234 games played over that span.

The 30-year-old has racked up 415 points in 814 career NHL games split between the Nashville Predators, Jackets, and Blackhawks. Nashville selected Jones with the fourth overall pick at the 2013 NHL Draft.