Sydney will give veteran AFL fullback Ted Richards two more weeks to recover from a concussion, but Swans coach John Longmire says he hasn't spoken to the veteran back about it potentially ending his career.
It's expected this season will be the last for the 33-year-old key back, who struggled with a calf injury in the pre-season, fractured an eye socket early in the 2016 campaign and missed last week's match against North Melbourne after getting concussed the previous week.
Longmire said the 259-game defender's scans were clear and no more were scheduled.
However, Richards won't be playing against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium next Saturday or in the big Sydney derby against GWS at Spotless Stadium the following Sunday.
"Just because he's not feeling 100 per cent today we thought we'd make the decision early and get him right over the next couple of weeks before he begins his preparation back to playing," Longmire said on Monday.
There has been speculation in Melbourne that Richards, who has had concussion issues before, might not play again.
His previous bout of concussion was last July when he was knocked out by Port Adelaide's Jay Schulz in a sling tackle.
Asked on Monday if he was concerned he might be looking at the end of Richards' career Longmire said: "I haven't had those discussions with him at all.
"The only discussions I've had are he won't play this week or next week and then we'll begin the preparation to play."
Questioned about how concerned Richards was about the situation Longmire said: "He takes medical advice like we all do, we just listen to what the doctors say and in the end that's all we can go by.
"The doctors are confident enough after seeing his scans that he's good and so that's what gives him confidence as well."
A decision will be made later this week if centre half forward Sam Reid will play his first game in the senior side this season after making his comeback from a hamstring injury in the reserves last week.
"He got through nearly 90 minutes on the weekend and he pulled up really well," Longmire said.
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