Young Bomber Tom Hird could miss the rest of the 2020 season after sustaining a serious foot injury.
The club confirmed that scans revealed a navicular stress fracture in Hird's foot, the son of club legend James, having experienced soreness in recent days.
Essendon football boss Dan Richardson said the 19-year old would take a "cautious approach" to his rehab.
“Tom will rest his foot for the next period and we will continue to monitor his progress but it will be a longer-term injury,” Richardson told the club website.
“It’s a disappointing setback for Tom after his start with the club in recent months, and with the nature of navicular injuries, we will continue to take full caution approaching Tom’s rehabilitation over the coming weeks.”
Hird signed with Essendon as a Category B rookie in March after giving up soccer and had impressed insiders at the club during his short stint through his courage and ball use on his preferred left side.
His famous father suffered a host of foot injuries in the late 1990s before returning to captain Essendon to the 2000 premiership.