Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce is still "touch and go" for the crunch clash with Essendon, and the Dockers are optimistic Michael Walters' latest setback isn't serious.
Pearce hasn't played since picking up a hot spot in his shin following the round 11 win over Port Adelaide.
The 30-year-old has a history of leg fractures, and coach Justin Longmuir says the club is taking a cautious approach before Thursday's big match.
"He's touch and go," Longmuir said of Pearce's availability against Essendon.
Asked about his injury history, the coach added: "That plays a part in it, absolutely.
"So we won't put him at any risk. We won't rush him back to try and win this week if it's going to put him at risk for a long-term injury."
Longmuir says Pearce has been predominantly using the anti-gravity treadmill along with a bit of running on turf, but hasn't done much work in terms of change or direction.
"But he hasn't been out for that long," Longmuir said.
Walters, who is yet to play this season after undergoing knee surgery, was set to make his long-awaited return via the WAFL on Saturday.
Those plans were scuppered when he pulled up sore from training, but Longmuir said Walters is a chance to play WAFL next Saturday.
"It's not serious," Longmuir said of the latest setback.
"Maybe it's just the fact we've built him the last couple of weeks in the main training and he's got a little bit of soreness.
"I haven't got the full extent of what it is, but they tell me it's not serious and we're hoping it settles down reasonably quick."
Goalsneak Sam Switkowski suffered hamstring tightness in Saturday's 10.13 (73) to 10.7 (67) win over North Melbourne and is in doubt to take on the Bombers.
Fremantle led by 28 points late in the third quarter, but North Melbourne fought back to level the scores with seven minutes remaining in the match before Luke Jackson popped up for the winning goal.
The Dockers (8-5) had a knack for losing close games in recent years, but they have not posted close wins against North Melbourne and Gold Coast in their past two games.
"I was really proud of the way the players fought back," Longmuir said.
"It was maybe one of those games in the past where we might not have been able to get it done, and the players were able to dig in and execute reasonably well.
"I thought the last nine minutes of game time we were able to really bring it back into a contest."
Essendon (6-7) copped a 23.13 (151) to 8.8 (56) thumping at the hands of Geelong on Saturday and will start as big underdogs against a Fremantle outfit who have won four games on the trot.
