Essendon look set to be without number one ruckman Tom Bellchambers for around the next six weeks following his calf strain on Thursday night.
Bellchambers went down in the third quarter of the Bombers' six-point win over GWS at Marvel Stadium.
The club provided an update on Friday, confirming that Bellchambers, along with teammates Patrick Ambrose were both set to miss some footy.
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"Both Tom and Patrick had scans today, which confirmed the nature of their respective injuries," Richardson said.
"We’ll closely manage their rehabilitation programs, and we expect Patrick to return to the field in three to four weeks’ time, while Tom will be pushing to return before the conclusion of the home-and-away season.
"While disappointing, injuries present opportunities for others to step up, so we are confident we have the depth to cover both Tom and Patrick over the coming weeks."
Tom Bellchambers is iced up on the bench after this ruck contest. #AFLDonsGiants pic.twitter.com/pMABBlOrcP
— AFL (@AFL) June 27, 2019
Bellchambers' injury saw Cale Hooker and Shaun McKernan both spend time in the ruck on Thursday night.
The Bombers likely option to come in for the 29-year-old is Zac Clarke, who has played three times in the seniors this season.
Essendon would like to be able to call on youngster Sam Draper, who is courting interest from St Kilda despite not playing a match at the top level, though he is recovering from an ACL injury.
