Horton’s career could be over because of a debilitating back issue. However, the Leafs saw a chance to move a horrible contract. They will get some cap relief by placing Horton on long-term injured reserve. This is a weird trade, but one that makes sense for both sides.

Optimism is fading that Horton, 29, will be able to play this season and there is growing concern that his career might be finished. Horton signed a seven-year, $37.1 million dollar contract last summer and has only suited up in 35 games with Columbus. Horton has been diagnosed with “degeneration” of the entire lumbar region of his spine. Surgery has not been scheduled or ruled out, but it is viewed as a last resort. It’s a delicate procedure, with no guarantee of relief.

Horton has had a really hard time staying healthy in recent years. Since signing a seven-year, $37.1 million dollar deal last July, Horton has only suited up for 35 games. He seems poised to miss a decent amount of time with this back condition. With Horton out, Boone Jenner out and Ryan Johansen still unsigned, the Blue Jackets entire projected first line is unavailable.

One of the knocks on Horton in recent years has been his inability to stay healthy. Including this season, he has missed 122 games over the last six seasons. To put that in perspective, he has missed 26.6% of regular season games played since 2008-09. In his first of seven years of a $37.1 million dollar contract with the Blue Jackets, Horton amassed four goals and 14 assists (18 points) in 35 games. Should Columbus advance to the Eastern Conference finals, Horton could be back in the lineup. If not… See you in 2014-15 Nathan.

Horton returned to the lineup on Tuesday after a four-game absence. He only made it one-shift into the second period before retiring to the dressing room. He will be the first player in NHL history to score a goal in a game that he will not play in. Tonight's game is the make-up game for the game which was postponed after Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench. Horton will be credited with the goal as they start 1-0, but they will play a full 60 minutes.

Horton was listed as a game-time decision on Monday, but based on the morning skate it looks like he will be back in tonight vs. the Coyotes. Horton is skating on a line with Ryan Johansen and Boone Jenner--monitor his status following the a.m skate.

Horton skated with the Blue Jackets this morning, but will talk to the medical staff and coaches later today before they make a decision. Horton has missed the last four games.

The Blue Jackets announced that Horton will miss a couple of more days and then be day-to-day after that, so it is no surprise that he will not play in Philly on Thursday.

Horton, who is already missing tonight's game, could be in danger of missing Thursday and Friday's games as well. Horton has reportedly been playing through the lower-body injury, but it has reached a point where he can't anymore.

There is no word when Horton suffered the injury, but it will keep him out of Tuesday's game vs. the Avalanche. Horton has just four goals with 13 assists (17 points) in 34 games this season. Horton has not scored a goal in each of the last 24 games.

Horton, 28, signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets on July 5 and underwent successful shoulder surgery 12 days later. He has missed the first 40 games of the 2013-14 campaign as a result. The 6-2, 229-pound right winger has registered 198 goals and 204 assists for 402 points with 543 penalty minutes in 591 career NHL games with the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2011. He will skate on a line with Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky.

“It’s not 100 percent, but there is a very good chance he will play,” coach Todd Richards said after Horton participated in an optional practice yesterday. Horton, the Jackets’ major offseason signing, has missed the first 40 games of the season because of reconstructive left shoulder surgery in July. Horton had 13 goals and 22 points in 43 games with the Bruins last season.

Horton continues to work towards his Blue Jackets' debut which is expected to happen in early January. He is on the Blue Jackets four-game road trip that goes until next Monday, there is a chance he dresses in one of those contests.

Columbus kicks off a four-game road trip starting on Tuesday in Colorado that goes until the following Monday in New York. Horton could make his Blue Jackets debut in one of those four games, so monitor his status during the morning skates of Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and the next Monday.

Horton said he is "good" for some contact but still is not a "full-go'. Horton is still aiming to return to the lineup after Christmas.

Horton continues to progress well following offseason shoulder surgery. He is now inching closer to being day-to-day rather than week-to-week.

Horton continues to progress towards a return from offseason shoulder surgery. He remains without a definitive timetable, but the one set at the start of the year was roughly late December or early January so it should not be too long before he makes his Blue Jackets debut.

There is still no timetable for Horton's return but he continues to work his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. He was placed on LTIR last week which means he is still at least a couple of weeks from returning. The Blue Jackets are banged up, up-and-down the lineup so Horton's return could not come soon enough.

Horton is working back from offseason shoulder surgery and still does not have a timetable on his return. This was the first step in his road to a return, but is significant progress for the 28-year-old winger.

Horton is not expected to return any time soon, but this is a good sign that he is progressing towards his Blue Jackets debut. Horton underwent an MRI on Wednesday, but the results and a timetable for his return have yet to be released.