TORONTO -- Veteran forward Joffrey Lupul didn't practise with the Maple Leafs on Thursday due to a lower-body injury and his status is in doubt for Toronto's home game against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.

Lupul "tweaked" the injury in Tuesday's victory over the Colorado Avalanche, according to coach Randy Carlyle. After skating by himself Thursday morning, the 31-year-old winger left the ice before the full team workout.

"We are having an assessment done," Carlyle said. "We felt it wasn't something that was too serious ... and that was the plan, to have him skate by himself and then not join our group for today's practice. We're trying to set our sights on tomorrow."

Lupul, who missed time last season with foot and groin injuries, did not speak to reporters.

With Lupul unable to practise, Brandon Kozun moved up to the second line alongside Daniel Winnik and Nazem Kadri. That trio could remain together Friday, with Kozun bringing his speed to go along with Winnik's edginess and Kadri's playmaking ability.

"I think it's all about being versatile," Kozun said. "That's something that I want to bring to the team. I think that's something that helps me in my game that I'm able to play with all different kinds of players and play certain styles."

However, the Leafs are weaker without Lupul, who has two goals and an assist through four games. He had the tying goal in the third period against the Avalanche.

"(He's) a bona fide goal scorer," Winnik said. "You saw it the other night and you've seen it throughout his career. He scores goals and timely goals. When you miss a guy like that out of the lineup, other guys (have) got to step up and score."

The top line of James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel is the engine that makes Toronto's offence churn. But Carlyle has stressed the desire for three offensive lines, and Lupul, Kadri and Winnik have been a part of that since being put together Sunday in New York.

"I'm good on the forecheck and get in on pucks," Winnik said. "Me doing that creates offensive-zone time for them. They're both really creative with the puck and highly-skilled guys. I really just work as hard as I can for them to get loose pucks."

Winnik's job won't change if Lupul can't play. Kozun's doesn't, either, even though he'd likely get some more ice time with the more prominent role.

"I just show up to the rink and try to work my hardest, and whoever I play with I'll do my best," Kozun said. "I'm not going to say I'm going to play better with these guys or those guys. I'm just trying to become a better player and that's the only thing I can do."

The Maple Leafs host the Red Wings at the Air Canada Centre on Friday and travel to Joe Louis Arena for the back end of their home-and-home series on Saturday.

Defenceman Jake Gardiner said after practice he couldn't say whether he would return to the lineup against the Red Wings. Gardiner has been a healthly scratch in each of the Leafs last two games, but did see time with the second power play unit in Thursday's practice.

Goaltender Jonathan Bernier was the first netminder off the ice in practice, suggesting he could draw the Friday night home start against the Red Wings, while Reimer would play Saturday night in Detroit.

Forward David Booth was out of a walking boot on Thursday and spent some time in the team's rapid shot machine during practice. Booth remains unlikely to return until early November with a foot injury.

Practice Lines

Forwards

van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Kessel

Winnik-Kadri-Kozun*

Komarov-Santorelli-Clarkson

Panik-Holland-Ashton/Frattin

Defence

Phaneuf-Franson

Percy-Polak

Rielly-Robidas

Gardiner

Goaltender

Reimer/Bernier

Injured: Booth, Lupul