Pittsburgh Penguins unexpectedly place defenseman Kris Letang on injured reserve

Reports earlier today confirmed that Pittsburgh Penguins star defenseman Kris Letang had suffered a lower-body injury and was considered day-to-day by the team.

Just five hours after missing the morning skate with the Penguins things seem to have taken a turn into something potentially more serious.

The Penguins announced this evening that they have placed Letang on injured reserve and activated Marcus Pettersson to the active roster.

At the moment it is unknown whether Letang had some sort of setback or if this move was planned all along to allow Pettersson to come back without sending someone else down to the AHL.

Reports seem to indicate that Letang looked to potentially pull something or aggravate a part of his lower body against the New York Islanders but the exact nature of the injury remains a mystery.

This season before the injury Letang didn't seem to quite be himself as he has tallied just 16 points in 34 games and overall looked less explosive and offensively dangerous over the last few weeks.

Thankfully it seems that the Penguins will have Marcus Pettersson able to return healthy to the lineup so while Letang's injury is of course frustrating the timing of getting Pettersson back softens the blow a little bit.

Over the next 24 hours, we will now have to wait for Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan to address the media and give a status update on Letang's health.

As those updates are provided by Sullivan and the Penguins we will pass along the latest news to you regarding Letang's absence and eventual return.