Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov returned to action against the host Tampa Bay Lightning in Tuesday's 6-2 loss after missing 39 games with a back injury.
Chinakhov had 17 shifts and 13:25 of ice time in his return.
He missed the final 17 games last season with a back injury and then played through back discomfort in training camp. He played the first 21 games this season before back issues forced him to the bench.
The Blue Jackets' first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2020 NHL draft had a difficult recovery from the injury, experiencing multiple setbacks.
Chinakhov reportedly saw at least six doctors, including one in Russia, to address the issue. He did not have any corrective procedures but did have a small camera inserted into his back, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
"Sometimes, I was already practicing with the team and it's not one step back ... it's three, four steps back," Chinakhov said. "It's frustrating, for sure. But it's all right. Sometimes, [stuff] happens."
Chinakhov, 23, has 70 points (34 goals, 36 assists) in 167 career games with the Blue Jackets.
He was limited to 53 games last season because of injuries but still tallied 29 points on 16 goals and 13 assists -- all career highs at the time. He added three game-winning goals.
He signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension in June. The contract runs through the 2025-26 NHL season.
In a corresponding move, center Cole Sillinger was placed on IR with a week-to-week shoulder injury, the team announced.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.