The Washington Capitals have placed defenseman John Carlson on injured reserve, head coach Barry Trotz told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post on Thursday.

The move comes as the club looks to make room on the roster for newly signed forward Mike Richards. The designation is retroactive to when Carlson suffered an apparent lower-body injury, meaning the 25-year-old can return to the lineup as soon as he's cleared.

Trotz suggested Monday that Carlson could return to the lineup during the team's three-game road trip, which continues Thursday against the New York Islanders.

Carlson, however, will not play against the Islanders, and has not seen game action since Boxing Day against the Montreal Canadiens.