Essendon pair Jordan Ridley and Kyle Langford will both be absent for Essendon's Round 2 meeting with Adelaide and potentially further after suffering respective ailments in Friday's loss to Hawthorn.
Ridley has entered concussion protocols that will rule him out of action for the 12 days following the Bombers' season opener, putting a line through his playing prospects for next week while his symptoms will be monitored ahead of the club's Round 3 game against Port Adelaide.
Langford sustained a hamstring injury in the 26-point loss that will likely see the Bombers forward miss at least a month, with the club providing an update on their forward on Saturday afternoon.
"Essendon can confirm that Kyle Langford sustained a right hamstring strain during Friday night's clash against Hawthorn," a club update read.
"Scans conducted on Saturday morning revealed the strain, with the recovery period expected to be 4-6 weeks.
"The Club will provide further updates on Langford's recovery as he progresses through his rehab program."
The setback for Langford comes as the Bombers remain without Peter Wright for at least the next month with an ankle injury, with greater need now potentially on second-year Bomber Nate Caddy ruck-duo Sam Draper and Nick Bryan.
Harrison Jones, who has been utilised on the wing, could also return forward in Langford's absence, while pre-season recruit Tom Edwards could be handed his first AFL game after joining the club last month.
Edwards was one of 12 AFL-listed Bombers who were named for the club's VFL practice match on Friday, with draftee Kayle Gerreyn another key forward option who could be in contention.
Saad El-Hawli and Lewis Hayes are others who may be considered come selection given the absence of Ridley for next week's game at the MCG.
"We've got some players we think are playing pretty well at VFL level, but the options open to us are either personnel based or they're structure based," coach Brad Scott said post-game.
"Maybe (we'll need to make changes to our game), but that's what you have to do in this competition. We'll just adjust."
The Bombers are likely to remain without Darcy Parish (back), Jayden Laverde (hip), Nik Cox, Matt Guelfi (hamstring) and Vigo Visentini (suspension) for next week's home game against the Crows.
The Dons will have a Round 4 bye after their coming matches against Adelaide and Port Adelaide.
