Richmond will be without Jack Graham for at least a month after the midfielder sustained a quad injury during Tuesday night's practice match against Collingwood in the hands of trainers.
Graham exited the field in the final minute of his side's five-goal defeat to the reigning premiers at Ikon Park, with the club initially hoping the 26-year-old was only experiencing cramp late into proceedings.
Already without spearhead Tom Lynch (foot) for ex-coach Damien Hardwick's first game in charge of Gold Coast, Graham is the latest Tiger to be ruled out of the season's start while captain Toby Nankervis (foot) in some doubt too.
The Tigers confirmed on Wednesday that Graham is facing up to five weeks on the sidelines.
"Scans have confirmed that midfielder Jack Graham suffered a moderate quad strain in the final stages of last night's Charity Shield match," the club Tweeted. "The injury will rule Graham out for the next 3-5 weeks."
Tuesday's practice match also came with concerns for Collingwood as Norm Smith Medal winner Bobby Hill (hamstring) and midfielder Tom Mitchell (ankle) both looked to have complaints, however the Magpies have since shot down any chance of the pair missing their game next Saturday against GWS.
Fringe forward Nathan Kreuger sustained a suspected hamstring injury during the earlier hitout between the two clubs' VFL sides in what is the latest blow for the former Geelong tall.
Kreuger has looked to make his case for an early season call-up in Dan McStay's absence, however athletic pair Ash Johnson and Reef McInnes look likely to join Brody Mihocek in the selection conversation for Opening Round.
McInnes and Michocek were among nine separate goalkickers for the Magpies against the Tigers, with midfielder Patrick Lipinski the only multiple scorer in what was a best-afield performance - adding 23 disposals and eight marks for the evening.
Star duo Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos were also among Collingwood's best, while Jayden Short, Thomson Dow and Tim Taranto were formidable for Richmond.
Second-half cameos from Magpies pair Finlay Macrae and Charlie Dean were also positive, with the latter recording 12 disposals and eight marks after coming into the game midway through the third team.
The Magpies will head to GIANTS Stadium next Saturday to face GWS in a preliminary final rematch, while the Suns host the Tigers the same day at Heritage Bank Stadium.