The Toronto Maple Leafs are proceeding with caution following a concerning injury update regarding forward Dakota Joshua. Joshua sustained a kidney injury, including internal bleeding, during Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings and remains in Detroit for further observation and treatment.

Head coach Craig Berube confirmed the injury stemmed from a hit or contact with the boards. Berube stated, "It's got blood and everything, so we've got to see where he's at". Joshua will not play in Tuesday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils as the team continues to monitor his condition. Due to the nature of the injury, there is no definite timeline for his return.

This situation is particularly worrisome considering Joshua's recent health history. Just months ago, he underwent evaluation for testicular cancer, causing him to miss training camp before returning to NHL action in November.

Prior to the injury, Joshua had been working to solidify a consistent role in the bottom six, posting six goals and four assists in 36 games. The Maple Leafs acquired him with the hope that he would provide depth scoring and a physical edge to their offense.

In addition to Joshua's absence, the Maple Leafs are also dealing with other injuries. Defenseman Chris Tanev is sidelined with a lower-body injury, unrelated to previous issues, and could miss additional time. Auston Matthews was a game-time decision due to a lower-body injury sustained while blocking a shot in the game against the Red Wings. William Nylander remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and was not in the lineup for Tuesday's game. Nylander, who leads the Maple Leafs in points with 41 in 33 games, suffered the injury after getting tangled up with Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub on Saturday.

To address the mounting injuries, Toronto has recalled defenseman Matt Benning and forward Jacob Quillan from the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

The Maple Leafs are currently focused on gathering more information about Joshua's condition. The team and its fans are hoping for a swift and full recovery for Joshua, especially considering his past health challenges. This kidney injury marks another significant hurdle in Joshua's career, as he also battled testicular cancer the previous year.