The Buffalo Sabres open their 2026-27 regular-season against the Columbus Blue Jackets in exactly a week’s time, and they could be without two key pieces of their defensive unit for the opening contest.

Both Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger are question marks after suffering injuries against those same Blue Jackets in a preseason game Tuesday.

Samuelsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot in the second period of a 5-1 victory at KeyBank Center, head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed to reporters Wednesday.

Zellweger is in concussion protocol after taking a hit from defenseman Carson Soucy. Buffalo was already ahead 3-0 when Soucy caught Zellweger, who needed help getting to the dressing room.

Ruff said he spoke with the 23-year-old Wednesday morning and that he “felt better already.”

“That’s very encouraging to me, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” the veteran bench boss said.

With opening night just a week away, Samuelsson’s week-to-week designation makes his availability doubtful. Zellweger’s status will depend on how he progresses through concussion protocol.

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Zellweger joined the organization in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks this offseason, shortly after Bowen Byram was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks. Selected 34th overall by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Calgary, Alberta, native managed 22 points in 76 games in 2025-26.

The update on Samuelsson is especially disappointing. He was excellent last season, assuming a top-pairing role alongside Rasmus Dahlin and chipping in 13 goals and 41 points in 78 games. He added seven points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff contests.

The 26-year-old also anchored the team’s penalty kill, and his contributions at both ends of the rink helped the Sabres return to the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons.

If both Zellweger and Samuelsson are unable to play on Oct. 1, depth defensemen such as Ryan Johnson or Dennis Gilbert could get an opportunity in the short term.

The Sabres have two preseason games remaining, visiting the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday and hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.