DETROIT, MICH -- The Red Wings have called up defenseman Xavier Ouellet from their AHL affiliate team, Grand Rapids Griffins:

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today recalled defensemen Xavier Ouellet from @griffinshockey. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Pk6CAllEiw

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 13, 2016

This is likely in response to Jonathan Ericsson nursing a lower-body injury. He missed practice today, but we have not received much further information on that front. My guess is that Ericsson's hip is bothering him:

Blashill said Ericsson questionable for tomorrow with lower body injury.

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) February 13, 2016

There's a good chance Ouellet won't play tomorrow, but it would be crazy to sit him in favor of Jakub Kindl. Ouellet acts as some insurance for time time being since Khan had tweeted out that Niklas Kronwall wasn't feeling well after skating yesterday. He's been ruled out for the next couple of games.

The Red Wings are in a good spot to get a solid look at what their defense would be without one of their worst defensemen if Ericsson sits tomorrow. Plugging Ouellet into the lineup over Kindl would be an upgrade, so let's hope that coaching makes the right call with this.