Brisbane forward Bruce Reville is likely to miss the remainder of the home and away season after suffering a leg injury.
Scans have revealed the Lions recruit has suffered a stress reaction in his fibula which will keep him out of action for the next three weeks.
The diagnosis places Reville in doubt for the club's final game of the regular season against Essendon on August 24, while a line is put through his prospects of facing GWS this week and Collingwood in Round 23.
Reville was Brisbane's only omission to face an in-form GWS outfit this week due to the injury, with tall defender Darragh Joyce returning to the side after recovering his a facial injury.
The Lions revealed they have decided against risking star forward Eric Hipwood for Round 22 after he was pulled from last week's side as a late withdrawal due to groin soreness.
The key forward would likely come into Chris Fagan's team for the second grand final rematch of the year when the Lions return to the MCG to face Collingwood next Saturday.
Brisbane could also have defender Jack Payne (foot) back for that clash, while youngster James Tunstill is expected to exit concussion protocols ahead of that game following a worrying collision with a VFL umpire last week.
The Lions could regain Reville in time for a likely flag pursuit, with the pre-finals bye set to come at a needed time for several clubs carrying injured personnel to the finish line.
Brisbane could go top of the ladder this weekend with a win over GWS, with a succeeding victory over the Magpies being their 11th straight win and a chance to secure their spot in a qualifying final.
