Carlton have confirmed forward Eddie Betts has suffered a calf strain during a training session on Saturday.
Betts will be unavailable for Carlton's traditional season opener against the Tigers next Thursday, with the 316-game veteran expected to make a full recovery.
“Given the nature of this injury, Eddie is likely to miss 3-4 weeks and will be unavailable for selection for the start of the upcoming AFL season.," Blues' head of football Brad Lloyd said in a club statement.
The cruel injury setback means Betts' return for the Blue Baggers will be delayed, with the three-time All-Australian leaving the club in 2014 to join Adelaide.
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Betts re-joined Carlton back in October, with the Crows gaining a fourth-round draft pick in the draft. The 33-year-old will look to add to his 184 games already played with the Blues.
Whilst Betts is expected to miss the next three to four weeks for Carlton, his return to the field may be further delayed should the AFL tighten measures amid the coronavirus pandemic.
AFL CEO Gillon McLaughlin confirmed on Friday round one fixtures and all games beyond that would be played behind closed doors, as the sporting world reacts to the fast-moving outbreak.
Whilst the AFL and NRL will continue for the time being, there is increasing pressure on the two codes to follow other sports around the world and suspend their respective seasons.
All major leagues in the United States have postponed all fixtures indefinitely, while the EFL and Premier League announced on Friday their competitions would also be halted in response to the virus.
