Red Wings defenceman Brendan Smith out 2-4 with sprained right shoulder

Detroit Red Wings defenceman Brendan Smith, right, is checked by Los Angeles Kings center Colin Fraser during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have taken another hit on defence.

Detroit put rookie Brendan Smith on injured reserve Monday and he will be out two to four weeks with a sprained right shoulder.

The Red Wings also sent goaltender Thomas McCollum to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. They called up and forward Tomas Tatar from the Griffins along with goalie Petr Mrazek to eventually give Jimmy Howard a break. Howard has played in all of Detroit's eight games this season because backup Jonas Gustavsson has been out with a groin injury.

Detroit recently got banged-up defencemen Jonathan Ericsson and Jakub KIndl on the ice and has been without defencemen Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo because of injuries.