Richmond coach Adem Yze has conceded the club's "hand might be dealt" to manage veteran Dustin Martin for this week's trip west after the triple Norm Smith Medal winner suffered a back issue in Sunday's loss to Carlton.
Martin reported the complaint to medical staff in the second half and was subbed out of the match in the third term after his back "seized up".
The injury brought a quiet afternoon to an abrupt end for the Brownlow medallist, who finished the afternoon with a career-low seven disposals - just the second time in his 301-game career he amassed a single-figure tally for possessions.
Already planning to manage the 33-year-old's loads in the home stretch toward September, the potential setback for Martin could force a rest call to come in Round 17.
The Tigers are scheduled to face Fremantle at Optus Stadium six days on from their Blues bout, making this week a fitting window to give Martin a week off.
The veteran midfield-forward will have Monday off and look to prove his fitness at Tuesday's session, with Yze admitting a break for the champion onballer could be pencilled in for the next game.
"He just seized up. He tried to go back out there for one more rotation and he was battling. So it was pointless (to keep him out there) and we had a fresh guy to bring on," Yze said after the 61-point defeat.
"For him to put his hand up and say he's not right... against a quality team like Carlton you need 18 fit guys out there.
"We've got to wait and see (on the extent). We've got a six-day break. We'll see how that pulls up but he'll have a day off tomorrow and see how he comes in on Tuesday.
"Whether this is a reason why he needs to miss because he's got a tight back now, our hand might be dealt. If he bounces out of the game OK, there's no reason why he can't play against Freo.
"We've just got to have those discussions and think about it more than anything... hopefully he's OK."
Martin's potential absence could come as the Tigers hope to regain premiership ball winner Dion Prestia for Saturday's meeting with the third-placed Dockers.
A calf injury has hampered Prestia since Round 13, with the former Sun playing just six games in 2024 due to a pair of hamstring injuries also.
Yze confirmed the 31-year-old is in line to return but will be a test ahead of the trip to Western Australia, while forward Tom Lynch is likely another week away from returning from his hamstring injury.
"We'll just have to see how he trains this week but I don't think [he'll play]," Yze said of Lynch's prospects to feature in Round 17.
"Normally a hammy will take a couple of weeks, I reckon (a return) will be the following week. We won't risk him I don't think.
"Everyone else got through. We'll work out whether the guys coming back are available. Dion Prestia might be depending on how he trains.
"The next couple of weeks we might get a few troops."
Ruckman Samson Ryan could also be in selection consideration following a recent ankle injury, while Marlion Pickett and Maurice Rioli are expected to return in the next fortnight.
Richmond head to Perth to face Fremantle on Saturday night at 8:10pm (AEST).
