Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe and star forward Michael Walters could make surprise appearances in Saturday's AFL clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
The Dockers thought Walters would miss the rest of the season after the 27-year-old appeared to injure his hamstring during last week's win over Carlton.
But scans revealed no tear in the hamstring, with the injury actually a lower buttock issue.
Fyfe has missed the past six matches with a torn hamstring, and on Sunday coach Ross Lyon rated the Brownlow medallist as only a "slim" chance to return this week.
But Fyfe now appears on track to make a return.
"There will be a final training session on Thursday, so if he gets through that okay he'll be free to play," senior physiotherapist Jeff Boyle said.
Defender Luke Ryan (hamstring) is in doubt, while defender Joel Hamling and Aaron Sandilands will miss at least another week with calf injuries.
Harley Bennell, who tweaked his calf several weeks ago, is listed as TBA on the club's injury list and may not play again this year.
Losses to Richmond and Hawthorn have dropped Geelong (11-9) to ninth on the ladder.
But the Cats face an easy run home, and could even snare a home final if they can post big wins over Fremantle and Gold Coast.
The Cats will be without ruckman Rhys Stanley (calf) against the Dockers, but defender Zach Tuohy is hopeful he can recover from a hand injury.
Defender Jed Bews is a chance to return from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the 11-point loss to Hawthorn.
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