Carlton are "not expecting the best news" for forward David Cuningham after he dislocated his shoulder in Friday's loss to Port Adelaide.
Cuningham came from the field in the early stages of the match following a collision with Power forward Willie Rioli, with the Blues utility in some discomfort before gaining medical assistance.
Carlton made their tactical sub change before the end of the opening term in what was an early blow for coach Michael Voss and Cuningham, who looks to have suffered the same injury that delayed his 2023 campaign.
The 27-year-old did not feature until Round 14 last year after dislocating his shoulder at training in the pre-season, while this week's clash was just Cuningham's second since Round 8 due to further setbacks of his own.
The Blues are now bracing to be without the luckless forward for some time, with the injury likely to put a line through the rest of the home and away season for Cuningham.
"Dislocated shoulder. I don't know the mechanics of how it happened, but losing him early wasn't ideal," Voss confirmed post-game.
"We'll get that assessed and see what the damage is. He's had it before, so I'm not expecting the best news."
Carlton have played down concerns for star pair Patrick Cripps (shoulder) and Jacob Weitering (cork), with Voss believing there is nothing "sinister" for both as they manage "a few bruises".
A number of hits this season have hampered Weitering in the wake of and between matches, with Voss hopeful his key defender will pull up ripe from Friday's defeat.
"He's had a few, I don't know what he actually had when he came off," Voss said.
"I don't know what he was getting assessed for, but I'll get that brief in a second. I don't think there is anything sinister in either.
"He's copped a few bruises, hasn't he? But we're finding our way through that. At this stage of the season there's just bumps and bruises, they've all got them.
"It's not just us, everyone in the competition has [them]."
Carlton will regain key forward Harry McKay for next week's blockbuster clash with Collingwood after he was a late out through illness, while Blake Acres (foot), Jordan Boyd (shin), Orazio Fantasia (calf) and Caleb Marchbank (illness) are likely to be in line for returns also.
The loss to the Power could see the Blues fall as low as sixth on the ladder by the end of Round 20.
