Essendon have suffered twin injury blows with Jake Stringer out for up to a month and Patrick Ambrose done for the year.
Stringer picked up a calf injury during the Bombers' 16-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
Scans on Monday confirmed he is looking at a four-week recovery period.
The Western Bulldogs premiership forward had played every game in his first season with his new club.
He came under fire for a period of lean form as the Bombers struggled to a 2-6 start to the season, but is the club's leading goal kicker with 23.
Ambrose suffered a serious hamstring injury in the second quarter against the Pies.
"The tendon is impacted, but it will not require surgery," performance manager Justin Crow said.
"Early estimations suggest this is a 10-week injury."
The pair join Joe Daniher (groin), Martin Gleeson (ankle), Darcy Parish (thumb) and David Zaharakis (shoulder) on the sidelines.
