North Melbourne best-and-fairest winner Luke McDonald will be sidelined for at least another fortnight with a quadriceps strain.
The defender was a late withdrawal from Sunday's round-one clash with Port Adelaide and will also miss games against Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs.
"Luke copped a cork recently which has unfortunately resulted in this latest quadriceps issue," Kangaroos football boss Brady Rawlings said.
"Luke had a scan today which revealed a slight strain in his quad, as a result of the corked thigh."
McDonald, who has played 126 games with North Melbourne, was elevated to the club's leadership group as a vice-captain earlier this month.
The 26-year-old's setback adds to injuries sustained by off-season recruit Aidan Corr (toe) and young forward Curtis Taylor (concussion) during the Kangaroos' 52-point loss to Port Adelaide.
Under new concussion protocols, Taylor cannot play again within 12 days of his injury.
A player must complete three training sessions, including one full-contact session, before being passed fit to return.
"With the concussion protocol ... we've got two six-day breaks, so that's probably going to make it pretty tough for him (Taylor) to be back within any of those two rounds," North coach David Noble said.
