Richmond will regain premiership defender Jayden Short for Sunday's meeting with Fremantle, while a trio of senior players are in line for returns next week as the Tigers take a "no-risk" approach through the opening half of the season.
Short's welcomed inclusion from a calf injury this week comes as midfielder Jack Graham misses the match due to a minor hamstring concern, with Richmond revealing the injury at selection on Thursday.
Graham joins fellow onballer Jacob Hopper (hamstring) in missing this weekend's affair through injury, adding to the Tigers' extensive list of absentees.
Coach Adem Yze will be buoyed by Short's return, with the small defender set to be named against the Dockers under the assumption he gets through Friday's session without any setbacks.
"Touch wood, we've got training today. He had a really good session and has had a couple of good weeks of training," Yze told reporters of Short's selection chances.
"He's obviously a leader of our footy club, so if he gets through today he'll play. We knew it was a small little nick in his calf and there was a possibility that he could've played last week. We went with no risk, he's too important.
"We took the (extra) week, he's had a great week on the track and hopefully gets through today and plays.
"He's a spirit-lifter for our club and our team. To be back in our side... we really missed him last week. To get some good news on the injury front, it's good for our team."
Graham is likely to only miss one game due to his recent injury, while Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Noah Balta (knee) are also likely to return for next Saturday's game against the Western Bulldogs.
The Tigers' no-risk approach means both Graham and Prestia won't be utilised this week despite their potential availabilities, with Yze satisfied with the extra week off for the midfield pair.
"If this was a final, there was a chance that he could play," Yze said of Graham.
"He's just too important, to go and risk one of our key leaders this week and the chance of him hurting it again to be out for a month would just be crazy, irrelevant of how many guys we've got injured at the moment.
"We're just hoping it's a little one-weeker. He just felt a bit sore and couldn't get through training the other day. We pulled him out of training and look to next week.
"[Prestia and Balta] are training really well. Dion is going to be a no-risk, so we're going to give him an extra week, which is next week.
"Noah trained the house down the other day, there was a possibility that he could've been selected this week, but we've gone with a no-risk attitude with Noah.
"To have those guys close to selection, and hopefully be available next week, is exciting. We can't wait to get them back."
The Tigers will weigh up their ruck formation for Sunday's game at the MCG, with co-captain Toby Nankervis likely needing a partner to help wrestle Dockers talls Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
Recruit Sam Naismith could hold his spot in the side, while young ruck-forward Samson Ryan could earn a recall after a promising run at VFL level.
Naismith is one of five potential Round 8 inclusions, with Short, Kane McAuliffe, Tyler Sonsie and Steely Green also named in the extended squad.
Richmond will finalise its 23-man side at 5:00pm (AEST) on Friday.
