Western Bulldogs utility Liam Picken has ruled out playing this season but holds hope his concussion battles won't end his AFL career.
Picken hasn't played in the premiership season after being knocked out in a pre-season game on March 3.
The 31-year-old says he won't return this year but plans to play again next season.
"I am encouraged by the progress I have made," Picken told the Bulldogs' website on Tuesday.
"And I'm very lucky to have been looked after by such a great team of medical experts.
"I have been blown away by the support of my family, teammates, the club, and by all of the messages I have received from Bulldogs fans and the wider football community.
"I will take the extra time to dedicate to my recovery and will now look ahead to next season."
Picken's pre-season blow was the second time within 12 months he had been concussed, after also being knocked out in round three of last year's premiership season.
The Dogs are also dealing with another season-ending complaint with 22-year-old Lukas Webb suffering a neck injury in VFL ranks last weekend.
Webb, who has played five AFL games in 2018, has been ruled out for the rest of the season, coach Luke Beveridge said.
"(The injury) is to the neck, so with the neck and the back, it's just that spinal risk," Beveridge told reporters on Tuesday.
"I would rather not give any detail on the advisement of doctors but they have just informed me he will be out for the rest of the year.
"He sustained an injury during the game and the scans have shown it's a bit more serious than we thought it would be.
"So we will take really cautious steps with him."
Webb had only just returned from a broken thumb sustained in his most recent AFL game, in round 13 against Port Adelaide.
