Dale Thomas will avoid surgery despite his shoulder dislocation during Carlton's AFL season-opening clash with Richmond.
After visiting a shoulder specialist on Saturday, club doctors decided Thomas did not need to go under the knife, meaning he could be back in navy blue as early as round eight.
Thomas suffered the injury in the opening minute of Thursday night's loss to the Tigers.
Scans showed Thomas suffered a shoulder subluxation or partial dislocation, allowing the 27-year-old a speedier return to AFL action than otherwise feared.
Fellow Blue Kristian Jaksch is expected to be sidelined for two matches after discovering he had broken two ribs during the 27-point loss.
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