Essendon coach Brad Scott has "confirmed" that midfielder Archie Perkins will be sidelined for "at least a couple of weeks" while best-and-fairest winner Jordan Ridley faces more time out of action.
During the 69-point drubbing at the hands of Port Adelaide during last weekend's clash, Perkins came from the field with a hamstring strain, with fears it could've been a lot worse.
Coach Brad Scott stated that the youngster will begin his "rehab process" and will hopefully return quicker than expected.
“It's definitely a confirmed strained hamstring,” Scott said to reporters on Tuesday.
“I'll leave that in terms of the experts in terms of the rehab process, but it will be at least a couple of weeks.”
Essendon also confirmed that Ridley re-injured his quad and will face more time on the sidelines.
“It's going to be a number of weeks,” Scott said.
“You can pluck a number out… I don't really focus on whether it's two weeks, three weeks, four weeks… once he's back in full training we can put a really accurate return to play date on it.
“But it will be at least a few weeks, if not a bit more. But he's such an important player for us, when we get him back we want him back fully fit with very little to no chance of reinjury.”
In more positive news, the Bombers are likely to regain Sam Durham pending he passes his concussion testing.
Durham copped a heavy hit from St Kilda's Marcus Windhager and then was followed up by a Seb Ross tackle, with the latter doing most of the damage.
The 22-year-old was forced into a mandatory 12-day concussion protocol period and is set to return for the clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Veteran Dylan Shiel also doesn't appear to be far away, with Scott confirming his return will likely be through the VFL.
Shiel hasn't featured in a football game since July last year and will be treated cautiously as he makes his way back from an oblique injury.
Matt Guelfi (calf), Zach Reid (hamstring) and Peter Wright (suspension) headline the other Bombers unavailable.