Morgan Rielly has appeared in two games since suffering an unidentified lower-body injury a few weeks back, but it's obvious that the Toronto Maple Leafs' No. 1 defenseman remains affected by the ailment.

Now we understand why.

Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock revealed after the club's thrilling 6-5 win over Boston on Saturday that Rielly is playing through a high ankle sprain, according to The Athletic's David Alter.

It's an injury that typically requires a more lengthy recovery process.

Babcock added that Rielly tweaked the injury in the win, and that it will continue to happen until the injury can fully heal.

Rielly was still able to log in excess of 22 minutes Saturday, almost four minutes more than in his return Thursday versus the St. Louis Blues. Still, Rielly's injury, and how its impacted his performance, has magnified Toronto's shortage of plus defenders.

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