New Carlton key forward Harry McKay has a lower back injury that will delay the start of his AFL career by about three months.
The Blues' have announced that their second selection in the national draft last November has a stress reaction.
Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said the recruit had a stiff back last week and then pulled up sore on the weekend after an intraclub game.
Medical scans confirmed the diagnosis and the Blues are taking no risks with the No.10 draft pick.
"We're being ultra-conservative with a young boy like this," the Blues' football boss told SEN.
"Harry is still growing, too ... (we) need to be very careful with stress reactions like this.
"We're just pulling him out of any exercise for a couple of weeks and he'll build up slowly after that.
"It's obviously a bit of a shock for someone coming into the system to be standing on the sidelines for 10 or 12 weeks."
The Blues added that McKay does not need surgery.
Carlton took McKay in the draft after No.1 pick Jacob Weitering.
McKay made his debut for the Blues in their NAB Challenge loss to Essendon and kicked a goal.
The Blues remain optimistic that the young key forward will make his senior debut later this season.
"Prior to this setback we have been really pleased with his application and development since being drafted," McKay said.
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