NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Josh Manson’s 12-game layoff because of a broken finger could end Thursday when the Ducks face the Nashville Predators in the second game of their pivotal five-game trip. If he does play, then he could join a lineup held together with gauze, bandages and kinesiology tape.

At first glance, the Ducks’ practice Wednesday had the appearance of an optional workout, as leading scorer Troy Terry, second-leading scorer Trevor Zegras, top penalty killer Jakob Silfverberg and fourth-leading scorer and team captain Ryan Getzlaf were sidelined.

Another top penalty killer, Isac Lundestrom, didn’t join the Ducks for the start of their trip because of a lower-body injury.

Suddenly, the Ducks are battered and bruised when they can least afford it. No question, the Ducks suffered emotional pain during and after their 8-3 loss Tuesday to the Chicago Blackhawks. But their physical injuries are mounting as they attempt to remain in the playoff race.

A full rundown on the Ducks’ injuries wasn’t expected until Thursday.

In fact, Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said he wasn’t sure who might be available to play against the Predators and who might need more time to mend their various injuries. Reinforcements were likely to be summoned from the Ducks’ AHL team, the San Diego Gulls, in time for Thursday’s game.

“We have to wait and see what the morning brings,” Eakins said. “I don’t disagree that everyone has dings at this time of the year. But the thing that strikes me is our best penalty killer isn’t out there and three of our top four scorers are not on the ice. Those are large, large problems for us to deal with.

“But that’s our circumstance and we’ll deal with it.”

Meanwhile, the Ducks’ defense corps is sound. Eakins said “we’ll see” when asked if Manson would play against the Predators. Andrej Sustr, claimed off waivers Tuesday from the Tampa Bay Lightning, was on his way to join the team. Brendan Guhle was reassigned to San Diego.

Eakins also was unsure whether John Gibson or Anthony Stolarz would start in goal Thursday. Eakins said he would speak to goalie coach Sudarshan Maharaj before making a decision. Gibson gave up five goals on 13 shots in the first period Tuesday before Eakins removed him in favor of Stolarz.

“I’ve got a lot of things to do,” Eakins quipped.

MANSON SKATES AGAIN

The Ducks were 19-15-7 when Manson tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to sit out for four games. They went 2-1-1 while he was sidelined, then won consecutive games upon his return to the lineup. They are 4-7-1 while he’s been out because of a broken finger suffered Jan. 29.

The Ducks are 27-23-9, fifth in the Pacific Division and out of a playoff spot.

“It was frustrating,” he said. “Coming into the season, I wanted to be healthy for the whole season. I had COVID and I didn’t feel anything. Then to come off that and break my finger, it was just a really tough stretch that I was hoping to avoid. Just unlucky, one of those freak accident kind of things.”

Manson was injured when he was checked by Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators in the first period of the Ducks’ 2-1 victory. The wait for his finger to heal was every bit as frustrating as sitting out after testing positive for COVID-19 despite not having any symptoms.

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“I wasn’t sick at all,” Manson said. “I didn’t feel a single thing. I was just waiting and waiting and waiting. That was the most frustrating thing. I was trying to be healthy all year. I was healthy all year and what kept me out of those extra four or five games (actually, it was four) was that I had COVID.

“I wanted to be on the ice. I felt like we worked to get into a (playoff) position and I’m not going to say we lost the playoff position as soon as I got hurt. I don’t think that happened at all. I just wanted to be in there and try to be in these games. Every game is important. That’s really all I can say about that.”