Winnipeg sports news: Josh Morrissey is getting closer to a return, and Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel says the star defenceman might be back this weekend when the Jets host Tampa Bay on Sunday.
By Maplestime Sports Desk | Winnipeg, Manitoba | November 2, 2026
Sources: TSN, Illegal Curve Hockey | Last updated: November 2, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Arniel said after Monday practice in Montreal that Morrissey is getting closer and might play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at home.
- Morrissey skated in a non contact jersey Monday, his next step back after missing time since October 7 with a wrist injury suffered against Colorado.
- Dawson Mercer missed Monday practice with an upper body injury. He has two assists in five games as a Jet.
- Cole Koepke, out for Sunday’s 7 to 0 loss in Carolina, is in line to play Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens.
- Winnipeg is 4-8-3 and winless in nine games after Sunday’s shutout loss to the Hurricanes.
What Arniel Said
Arniel spoke after Monday’s practice in Montreal, and his message on Morrissey was the clearest yet. The 31 year old Calgary native is getting closer to returning, and Sunday’s home game against Tampa Bay is now a real possibility. Morrissey has not played since October 7, when he suffered a wrist injury against the Colorado Avalanche. He has three assists in four games this season and was averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game before the injury.
What Monday Practice Showed
Morrissey wore a non contact jersey at practice in Montreal on Monday, skating with Bauer on defence. The full practice lines reported by TSN were: Connor, Scheifele, Vilardi; Perfetti, Lowry, Iafallo; Niederreiter, Barron, Bjorck; Koepke, Lambert, Rosen; Samberg, Pionk; Ferraro, Salomonsson; Fleury, DeMelo; Morrissey (non contact), Bauer; with Skinner, Stevenson and Daws in goal. That lines up with the earlier practice report that Morrissey skated but was not yet a full participant.
Mercer and Koepke Updates
The practice news was not all positive. Dawson Mercer, recently acquired from the New Jersey Devils, did not attend practice due to an upper body injury. The 25 year old has two assists in five games as a member of the Jets this season. There is better news on Cole Koepke. The winger missed the Carolina game but is in line to play Tuesday against Montreal.
What Comes Next
Winnipeg closes its four game road trip Tuesday night in Montreal against the Canadiens, then returns home to host Tampa Bay on Sunday. That Sunday game is now the date to watch for Morrissey. If he is cleared, the Jets get back their top defenceman in the middle of a nine game winless run. If he is not ready, the wait continues into next week.
Maplestime will provide updates from Josh Morrissey and the Winnipeg Jets as announcements are made.
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Do you think Morrissey back on Sunday changes the Jets season, or is one player not enough to end a nine game slide? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Winnipeg Jets fan following the road trip this week.
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