Richmond are bracing for star midfielder Tim Taranto to miss up to two months with his broken wrist in a huge blow after a tough start to the AFL season.
But the Tigers, reeling at 1-4 after a defeat to lowly West Coast last week, expect to get Jacob Hopper and Dylan Grimes back from injuries for their next-start clash with Melbourne in round seven.
Reigning best-and-fairest winner Taranto hurt his wrist at training before last week's loss to the Eagles in Perth.
The prolific midfielder has joined a long injury list, which also features fellow senior stars Noah Balta, Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia and Jayden Short.
The Tigers did not initially put a time frame on Taranto's recovery, but on Friday confirmed the toll it would take.
"It was a pretty unfortunate accident at the end of training last week on Friday, in the last play of the last drill," Richmond physical performance manager Luke Meehan said.
"He had surgery that day. We were lucky enough to get him in, and he actually went home that night.
"He has pulled up really well. Hopefully he won't be out for too long, but at this stage we're looking at a six to eight week period."
Hopper has not played since round two because of a knee injury and still has some boxes to tick before being given the green light to face Melbourne.
Triple-premiership defender and former captain Grimes is in the same boat, having not played since round three because of a wrist injury.
But the pair are expected to recover and play against the Demons at the MCG on the night before Anzac Day.
Short was substituted out of the loss to West Coast with a calf injury, but is expected back within a fortnight.
Meanwhile, former St Kilda forward Dan Butler will be sidelined for at least a month with a hamstring injury sustained in Thursday night's 60-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
The 27-year-old entered the game as a third-quarter substitute but had to be taken out of the match during the final term.
Butler's latest setback follows pre-season ankle surgery, which kept him out of the Saints' first three matches this season.
"Dan's injury was a disappointing end to a disappointing night on-field, but we're confident he can bounce back in time," St Kilda football manager David Misson said.
"Unfortunately, the nature of the injury and its Grade 2 classification means Dan will likely spend between four to six weeks on the sidelines.
"Dan is no stranger to injury rehab this season and we're confident he will attack his rehab in the same manner as he did previously to make himself available at the earliest opportunity."
St Kilda are hopeful star forward Max King will return against Port Adelaide in round seven after he sat out the Bulldogs clash with a knee injury.
Australian Associated Press
