Carlton superstar Chris Judd's recovery from a torn hamstring is tracking a week behind the AFL club's expectation.
Judd's return from off-season Achilles tendon surgery lasted just five minutes in round five, when he tweaked his hamstring on April 20.
The 30-year-old was slated to miss five weeks, a timeline which would have him returning on Saturday week when Carlton clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.
But it appears highly unlikely Judd will be back for the round-11 fixture, with Blues coach Mick Malthouse noting on Tuesday he was "probably a week behind what we (initially) thought".
"But when I say that, it's not doom and gloom," Malthouse quickly added.
"He's a 30-year-old, been around the traps a long time and knows his body.
"We won't hasten it ... if it's six weeks (out) then it's six weeks."
The news is better for injured pair Andrew Carrazzo and Jarrad Waite, who should return against Adelaide in Sunday's match at the MCG.
Malthouse said it was too early to say when dual Brownlow medallist Judd would play again, and whether that would be in the VFL or AFL given his lack of training since February.
"Does he play in the seconds? It hasn't crossed our minds yet, it's a matter of getting him back and then we'll make our decision," he said.
"There's no panic here to say 'God, we've got to get him back for this week'. None whatsoever."
The Crows and Blues both started the season with three losses and sit 10th and 13th on the ladder respectively, but contrasting performances against Collingwood suggest they're two very different sides.
The Blues were outclassed by Collingwood in round seven, while Adelaide's last-start 21-point win over the in-form Magpies was their most meritorious result of the season.
"They were very, very impressive (against Collingwood)," Malthouse said.
"We know we're in for a hell of a fight."
Malthouse said ex-Blue Eddie Betts was "still highly thought of" at Carlton, but that the forward would be treated no differently to his 21 teammates on Sunday.
"We've got other players to worry about just as much as Eddie," Malthouse said of the 27-year-old who shifted to Adelaide during the off-season as a free agent.
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