Aaron Francis' rocky start to his AFL career has continued, with the Essendon teenager carried off during their Wednesday intraclub hitout.
But coach John Worsfold was hopeful that the 19-year-old's rolled ankle is not serious.
The Bombers used their No.6 pick in the 2015 draft to recruit Francis, but fitness concerns and injury restricted the utility to only three games last season.
It comes a week after Essendon key position player Michael Hurley also suffered an ankle injury during an internal hitout.
"He has fairly loose ankles anyway, so we're confident it's not a serious sprain," Worsfold said of Francis.
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"It's a bit like Hurls last week - (he) was out there running today, no worries, so we're hopeful Aaron will be back up running pretty quick."
Ruckman Tom Bellchambers (knee) and new vice-captain Cale Hooker (hamstring) are other players recovering from injury, while key forward Joe Daniher played on Wednesday as he continues his comeback from a knee problem.
Worsfold said he had sympathy for any player who was injured, but said this latest setback was just another challenge for Francis.
"He has a season to focus on ... and this is just one thing he has to take into account," Worsfold said.
"So I don't feel sorry for him, it's just you know what you have to do now, you have to work really hard to bounce back really quickly.
"It's no different to Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers at the moment and what Joey Daniher was going through."
