Key Essendon duo Michael Hurley and Jake Stringer are in significant doubt for Round 1.
Hurley recently spent a week in hospital dealing with an infection in his hip and leg, but was released last week.
However, the infection is still bothering him and the defender is currently on strong antibiotics at home according to Tim Watson.
“It was a hip infection, he was in hospital for five days and they were trying to contain the infection at that time,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.
“Since then, he’s gone home and now he’s in bed at home on strong antibiotics and they’re still trying to deal with the infection.
“So this is reasonably serious for him, obviously and it’s a real worry when you do have an infection and it can’t be cleared up quickly.
“Also the fact that it’s two weeks now that he’s almost been inactive, your muscles really start to wither quickly when you’re on your back like that so that’s got to be real concern.”
Stringer meanwhile has been dealing with an Achilles injury, with the Herald Sun reporting that he isn’t expected to make it to Round 1.
He has dealt with the injury consistently over summer, but was put on ice after experiencing soreness during an intra club match.
In better news, captain Dyson Heppell is expected to play in Round 1 as he recovers from consistent foot issues.