The Florida Panthers have been bitten hard by the injury bug early in the season and the results could be devastating for the Panthers’ season. The defense in particular has suffered the most from the rash of injuries that the Panthers have suffered.

Defenseman Bryan McCabe jammed his back in the first game of the season and has yet to return to the line up. Bryan Allen has been out since October 11 and has practiced only once since then. In Friday’s 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks, defenseman Cory Murphy suffered a shoulder injury and did not play on Saturday, his status is unknown though an MRI is scheduled.

Forward Stephen Weiss is just the latest to join the list as he sat out Saturday’s game with a groin injury.

The Panthers’ defense has been hit the hardest and is down to 5 healthy defenseman and in the coming days the Panthers are expected to make some moves to shore up their battered defensive corps.