Collingwood ruckman Darcy Cameron is the latest key-position Magpie to be placed under an injury cloud, having sustained a suspected hamstring issue at training this week.
Cameron firms as Collingwood's first-string ruckman for the season ahead following the departure of Brodie Grundy to Melbourne, with senior coach Craig McRae opting for the ex-Swan as his main man in the middle.
With veteran Mason Cox seen as no certainty to be placed in McRae's best 23-man side, Cameron is expected to bear the brunt of the ruck workload in 2023.
The 27-year-old is hoping to improve on a career-best campaign from yesteryear, where he emerged as a well-balanced ruck option in the absence of the injured Grundy.
Cameron's plans for an uninterrupted pre-season could be hampered however, with the 204cm Magpie in the hands of club medical staff at Olympic Park on Wednesday.
In vision caught by AFL Media's Sarah Black, Cameron is seen leaving the field after a niggle after gaining treatment on his right hamstring.
The potential setback could see Cameron join the small handful of Collingwood players in the club's casualty ward ahead of the 2023 season, with star defender Darcy Moore (bone infection), midfielder Finlay Macrae (back) and swingman Nathan Kreuger (shoulder) all nursing ailments of their own.
Should the extent of Cameron's hamstring injury be of enough significance, the Magpies could look to call on either Cox or developing ruckman Aiden Begg to start their 2023 campaign.
Cameron played 24 successive games for Collingwood last year after missing out on the club's season opener against St Kilda.
The Magpies will begin their season against Geelong at the MCG on Friday, March 17, a contest that follows pre-season clashes with Carlton and Hawthorn.