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James Neal out indefinitely with upper-body injury

James Neal

James Neal #18 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a shot in the first period against the New Jersey Devils during the home opener at Consol Energy Center on October 3, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Devils 3-0. (October 2, 2013 - Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America)

It looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins will have to get used to playing without forward James Neal for at least a little while.

After leaving Thursday’s contest for what initially sounded like precautionary reasons, Neal is now being described as week-to-week with an upper-body injury by Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Shelly Anderson.

Bylsma also cautioned that Neal doesn’t have a firm timetable for his return yet.

Neal was questionable for the contest to begin with, but he was given the green light after participating in the pre-game warmups. He had two shots on goal and logged 3:49 minutes before being yanked.

The 26-year-old forward entered this season as a threat to reach the 40-goal mark. Still, the Pittsburgh Penguins are so loaded with offensive talent that they can usually endure the loss of one of their star forwards.

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