The forward has not played this season because of an upper-body injury sustained Sept. 25. He had been considered week to week.
"He was doing everything he possibly could without getting opened up, especially in that area," Flyers coach John Tortorella said. "Cam wanted to play. He's a great competitor. Tried all different things with (head athletic trainer) Tommy (Alva), the whole group, and he couldn't sustain it to get over the hump. He'd feel really good and then it would drop off.
"This is what 's been discussed with the professionals and they feel this is the best route. Cam has obliged them and he'll get it done."
Atkinson said Dec. 3 that he had been cleared for contact and felt he was close to making his season debut. He traveled with the Flyers on their recent four-game road trip that concluded with a 2-1 win at the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
"It's been pretty good," Atkinson said at the time. "A little bit of an adjustment but just working out the kinks. I'm getting close, but not enough to where I think I can help this team right now. But I'm closer than not."
However Atkinson never got to the point where he was strong enough to play in a game.
"He tried hard for a few months to rehab, and worked with our people, worked with a couple people he's worked with before in Columbus and had helped him in the past," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "Even last week we thought he might be able to play against the (New York) Rangers (on Saturday). But he just couldn't get over the hump. Then it became less of a focus for this year and more of a focus on let's get him right, let's get him healthy for himself so he can come back and play."
Atkinson was second on the Flyers last season in goals (23) and points (50). Without him this season Philadelphia is averaging 2.41 goals per game, tied with the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks for second fewest in the NHL entering play Monday.
The 33-year-old also was expected to help the Flyers adjust to new coach John Tortorella. Atkinson played six seasons (2015-21) under Tortorella with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"I give him credit, he worked hard, he did everything he could to come back," Fletcher said. "Nobody wants to play more than Cam. And especially with John, he was really looking forward to that and helping the team.
"We're struggling a bit and he's a guy that power play, penalty kill, 5 on 5, he's good defensively. He impacts the game in so many different ways. So clearly a very important part of our team.The Flyers acquired Atkinson from the Blue Jackets in a trade for forward Jakub Voracek on July 24, 2021. He has 452 points (236 goals, 216 assists) in 700 NHL games with the Flyers and Blue Jackets.
"He wants to be part of it, he wants to try to help," Tortorella said. "He sees what we've been going through a little bit here. Have to consider him one of the top players from last year's team. He wanted to be part it. He's tried everything to get back in. He's made the decision along with the doctors that this is the best route to go. We wish hm good luck on that and he's healthy and ready to go next year."
Philadelphia also has been without No. 1 center Sean Couturier all season. Couturier had back surgery Oct. 29 and was expected to need 3-4 months to recover.
Fletcher said the hope is Couturier can begin to skate soon and remains on schedule to play again in late February or early March.
Defenseman Ryan Ellis is out for the season because of a torn psoas muscle in his back.
