Gold Coast small forward Darcy MacPherson faces more than three months on the sidelines after fracturing his lower leg in the Suns' AFL defeat of Brisbane.
The 20-year-old had started well, kicking two goals before falling awkwardly while making a tackle in the second quarter on Sunday.
Gold Coast football operations manager Jon Haines said MacPherson was looking at a 12-14 week recovery period.
"He's got a fracture to his fibula so he went in and had surgery yesterday (Monday) and obviously would be expecting a fairly extended period on the sidelines," Haines said.
"We're hopeful that towards the back end of the season he should be able to to be getting up for some games."
There was also concern for the luckless Kade Kolodjashni, who was dropped to the side's NEAFL outfit but only managed two quarters before concussion symptoms returned.
The talented half-back has worn headgear this season after being plagued by multiple concussions last season which eventually cut his AFL campaign short.
