Hawthorn are unsure how long Josh Weddle wiil be sidelined for after the defender, one of their best players this season, was diagnosed with a back injury.
Hawthorn hope they have not lost Josh Weddle for the rest of the AFL season after the in-form defender was sidelined with a back injury.
In a major blow for the Hawks, Weddle has been diagnosed with lumbar bone stress and it is unclear when he will return.
Weddle, one of Hawthorn's best players this season, pulled up with a sore back after Saturday's 85-point win over North Melbourne in Launceston.
The Hawks announced on Tuesday scans have shown the early stages of bone stress.
"We will need to take some time to de-load Josh during this initial phase before we can identify just how long he will be sidelined for," Hawks doctor Liam West said in a club statement.
"Given how early the injury was discovered, we are hopeful he can return to play before the end of the season.
"While this is obviously disappointing for Josh, our priority right now is taking a careful and cautious approach to ensure (he) makes a safe return but as quickly as possible."
Weddle, 21, has played 57 games since his 2023 debut.