The Flash star Jesse L. Martin is stepping away from Season 5 for a while. Due to a back injury, the Joe West actor is taking a medical leave of absence from the show.

“Jesse Martin is taking a medical leave of absence from The Flash. We wish him a full and speedy recovery and look forward to his return as Detective Joe West,” The CW said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly, after TVLine broke the news this morning.

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According to the report, the character's absence will be addressed on the show. At the time of writing, it is unclear how long Martin will be away from the role, though The CW's statement indicates he will eventually return.

In his Season 5 appearances so far, Martin has been seated for almost every scene due to his injury, which he suffered during the show's summer break. Despite this, he has taken an active role; in the past four episodes alone, Joe West has co-parented his newborn daughter Jenna with Cecile, offered Barry and Iris plenty of advice and even been held hostage by Season 5 antagonist Cicada.

Airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW, The Flash stars Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Tom Cavanaugh, Jesse L. Martin, Danielle Nicolet, Hartley Sawyer, and Jessica Parker Kennedy.