Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch will have knee surgery in another blow to the depleted Tigers' AFL premiership defence.
Lynch is the latest Richmond star to be added to the injury list after scans revealed he had torn cartilage in his right knee.
The 28-year-old will have an arthroscope this week and the club has listed him to be sidelined for the "medium term".
Injuries such as these tend to keep players out for at least six weeks.
Lynch has kicked 18 goals this season and is coming off a three-goal haul against the Brisbane Lions.
The back-to-back reigning premiers sit precariously in ninth at 5-5 having gone down to the Lions by 28 points last Friday night.
But Richmond are set to regain premiership skipper Trent Cotchin and fellow midfield aces Dion Prestia and Shai Bolton for this Sunday's clash with Adelaide at the MCG.
Shane Edwards is not far away from returning but Kane Lambert will not be back until at least after the Tigers' bye in round 13.
