Matthews didn't skate on Thursday and reports suggest he's doubtful to play in Friday's game against Detroit.
Auston Matthews was absent for practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday and his status for the pair of games this weekend remains undetermined.
The 27-year-old missed Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins with an upper-body injury, and remains day-to-day, according to head coach Craig Berube.
"Well that's to be determined," Berube said following Thursday's practice on whether Matthews will play this weekend.
"It's hard for me to answer that question, knowing what I know right now with him today and stuff. Look, I can't tell you what's going to happen tomorrow or the next day. I wish I could, but I can't."
Toronto plays the Detroit Red Wings on Friday and the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday at home. Berube also revealed that Matthews did not skate on Thursday, which could mean his status is doubtful for at least Friday's game.
According to TSN's Chris Johnston on Early Trading, Matthews' absence isn't concerning at this point, and missing practice on Thursday was all part of Toronto's plan for him.
"Don't hit the alarm bells too loudly, at least not yet. Really, this has been all part of the plan for Matthews since he missed Tuesday's game, was they just want to take it day-by-day, give his body a chance to rest from this injury that he's been managing, really, back to training camp to a certain degree and give him a chance to use this week to rest," Johnston said.
"I wouldn't expect Matthews to play Friday when the Leafs host Detroit. They have another game Saturday against Montreal, still potentially a chance he gets into that one. But that'll be determined Friday whether he's able to return to Scotiabank Arena, maybe get on the ice, and really just see where his body is at at that point in time."
Before Toronto's game against Boston on Tuesday, Berube said Matthews' upper-body injury has nothing to do with his wrist, which the forward has had issues with in the past.
Max Domi shifted to center on Tuesday with Matthews out, and it appears he'll remain there (unless Matthews returns) for Friday's game against the Red Wings.
Matthews missed part of Maple Leafs training camp with an upper-body injury but was ready to play in Toronto's season opener against the Canadiens on Oct. 9.
If the forward cannot play in one of the two games this weekend, the Maple Leafs and Matthews could target Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as a return date, Johnston reported on Early Trading.