Essendon wingman Xavier Duursma is the latest casualty for the club, having torn his quad at Thursday's training session and will likely be out for at least four weeks.
Duursma - who crossed from Port Adelaide through a trade - has enjoyed a strong start in the red and black, playing in all eight games so far in 2024.
Essendon coach Brad Scott has confirmed the 23-year-old will be sidelined for at least a month in a huge blow for the club.
"Probably a month minimum," Scott toldย Talking Footy.
"He had a scan and there's some tendon involvement. That means it's going to be longer than a standard muscle strain."
Duursma is enjoying a career-best start to the season, averaging just under 19 disposals, three tackles and five marks playing mostly on the wing.
The former Power player will likely miss clashes against GWS (Round 9), North Melbourne (Round 10), Richmond (Round 11) and Gold Coast (Round 12).
His setback comes as Essendon brace to be without ruckman Sam Draper again this weekend - and potentially further - due to knee soreness.
Draper missed last week's trip to Perth to face West Coast and now requires "further specialist advice" on the ailment after failing to get through training on Wednesday.
"Ruckman Sam Draper won't play this Saturday after failing to complete main training today due to knee soreness," a club post read.
"After consultation with the medical team this afternoon, the club will seek further specialist advice in the coming days to decide the next steps. The club will provide an update next week."
SEN's Sam Edmund revealed that Draper was consulting a knee specialist and is likely to undergo surgery on a meniscus, which would ultimately rule him out for several weeks.
Sam Draper consulting a knee specialist to get to the bottom of the injury that's keeping him out of the Essendon side.
My understanding is he's likely to undergo surgery on a meniscus, which would unfortunately keep him out for several weeks. @1116sen— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) May 10, 2024
The Bombers currently sit in fifth spot with four wins, two losses and the Anzac Day draw against Collingwood.
