Carlton defender Sam Docherty is reportedly some chance to return to the field in 2024 despite rupturing his ACL in March.

Docherty suffered the knee setback in the Blues' season opener against Brisbane in Opening Round, with expectations held he wouldn't return until the start of next season.

The 30-year-old has returned to non-contact training recently, while Carlton's most recent update on their champion backman had Docherty listed with an indefinite return timeframe.

"Has been able to progress to the next stage of his rehabilitation (non-contact, light skills training)," the club's medical report from last week read.

"Will continue to work through this phase of his recovery over the coming months."

According toย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary, there is some level of "optimism" at Princes Park that Docherrty's campaign might not be over yet, with the luckless Blues defender continuing to build his workloads from the third ACL injury of his career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Sam Docherty of the Blues celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 23 match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 21, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It is understood that the club isn't ruling out a late-season or potential finals return for their former captain, with any comeback for Docherty a miracle return given the recency and severity of the injury.

"His knee is responding so well that there is optimism tonight at the Blues as to what could be possible to chase a premiership dream this year," Cleary said of the 2016 best and fairest winner.

"The 30-year-old ruptured his right ACL this year in Opening Round after two previous torn left ACLs, he was initially expected to miss all of 2024.

"Docherty toldย 7 News it was the best a knee had felt in rehab yet, and he returned to non-contact training last week.

"Everything would need to go right from here, and he would need a big conditioning block, but it would be a recovery that mirrors Tyson Goldsack's famous comeback in 2018. The Pies defender ruptured his ACL in Marsh and returned to play just 22 weeks later."

Any return for Docherty would significantly boost the Blues' premiership hopes, with Michael Voss' side right in the running with six games remaining in the home and away season.

Carlton sit second on the ladder with 11 wins from their 17 matches in 2024, however hold just a four-point buffer over ninth heading into Round 19.

Outside of serious knee setbacks to Docherty and forward Jack Silvagni, who is expected to miss the entirety of this season, Carlton's injury list is in good shape late into the current season.

Defender Mitch McGovern could return from a hip flexor injury as early as this week, while small forward Corey Durdin (shoulder) is the only other player with AFL experience currently sidelined at the club.

Carlton face North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon in a match that could see them close the gap on ladder leaders Sydney ahead of the final five weeks of the home and away season.