Richmond remain hopeful Dustin Martin will overcome his latest hamstring setback in time to play in the AFL clash with Collingwood, but have ruled out Jayden Short.
Dashing defender Short has been sidelined by a calf injury, while gun midfield recruit Jacob Hopper (knee) is also "doubtful" for Friday night's MCG blockbuster.
Martin was substituted out of the Tigers' away win over Adelaide on Saturday and had scans on return to Melbourne the following day.
On Monday, Richmond confirmed the 31-year-old had "hamstring awareness" and will have to prove his fitness at this week's main training session.
Martin has a history of hamstring injuries, which played a significant role in limiting the three-time premiership hero to just nine games last season.
"We made the decision during the game to take Dustin off the ground, given his injury history and the six-day break," Richmond physical performance manager Luke Meehan said.
"We're just going to monitor how he recovers off the game and make a decision on Wednesday and see if he gets through training with regards to playing this week."
Meehan revealed Short played the opening two rounds of the season under duress.
"We're going to make a decision now to not play him this week and get him to do some strong rehab training on (the calf), and get himself right for the rest of the season," Meehan said.
Hopper, recruited from GWS in the off-season, injured his knee in an "ugly" incident and is "pretty lucky", according to Meehan, to still be in contention for the Collingwood clash.
Like Martin, he faces a fitness test on Wednesday.
Tom Lynch (corked leg) is clear to play but the Tigers' injury-hit defence - already missing Robbie Tarrant (hip) and Josh Gibcus (hamstring) - will suffer another blow when Nathan Broad is suspended for his sling tackle on Adelaide's Patrick Parnell.
Broad will front the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night and is facing a ban of at least three matches.
