P.K. Subban placed on IR, will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks

P.K. Subban won't be back any time soon.

The Nashville Predators placed the star defenseman on injured reserve with what the club has been calling an upper-body injury, and he'll be re-examined in about two-to-three weeks, the Predators announced Sunday.

Related: Subban's absence leaves fantasy owners in limbo

Subban hasn't played since Dec. 15, missing the last seven games with the ailment.

The IR designation means he definitely won't be in the lineup for Tuesday's game against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens, and may not return until late January.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday night that Subban may have a herniated disc and that he and the club were expected to meet Sunday to decide between rest and surgery.

For now, the team and the player have chosen the former route.

Subban has 17 points in 29 games in his first season with the Predators following his offseason trade from the Canadiens for Shea Weber. Subban ranks second among Predators behind only Roman Josi - and 11th in the NHL - in average time on ice, logging 25:03 per game.