Richmond young gun Sydney Stack is only a "small chance" to play again in 2019 after suffering an ankle injury in the Tigers' VFL win over Essendon on Saturday.

Stack played in the VFL after he was omitted from the senior side during the week, but couldn't get through the whole game as he sustained the injury, with the Tigers reportedly believing it to be some form of syndesmosis.

Richmond assistant Justin Leppitsch spoke to 3AW on Sunday about Stack, saying he'll probably need surgery to repair the injury, which means he'll be doubtful to return this season.