The upper-body injury that Toronto Maple Leafs' centre Matthew Lombardi suffered last week is a dislocated shoulder.
The injury could force Lombardi to undergo surgery, though no decision on that is imminent.
Lombardi left Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators in the second period after falling awkwardly on a face-off. He left the arena with his arm in a sling.
The 29-year-old forward had just returned to action after missing all but two games in 2010-11 due to a concussion before going down on Thursday.
In 19 games with the Leafs this season, Lombardi has scored two goals and four assists.
The Leafs acquired Lombardi on July 3 along with Cody Franson from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney.
