The AFL's Concussion Panel has ruled out Essendon's Nik Cox from playing the rest of the current season, but has not put a line through his playing career. 

Cox has not played this year due to multiple concussion concerns, with the former top 10 pick also kept to just two VFL appearances in 2025.

In recent weeks, the 23-year-old met with the league's independent concussion panel, which has laid out a pathway that could see him return to football.

On Monday, the Bombers confirmed that Cox has agreed to the panel's recommendation that he won't play football for the rest of this year, with the hope he can return to fitness in time for next year's campaign. 

โ€œAfter meeting with an independent AFL medical panel regarding my concussion history, I'm pleased that I've been cleared to continue my playing career," Cox said in a club statement.

"Whilst I'm disappointed that I won't return to the field for the remainder of the 2025 season, this time away from the game will be used to focus fully on my health, recovery, and building the strongest possible foundation heading into pre-season.

โ€œI'm incredibly grateful to my Club, teammates, medical staff, and everyone who has supported me through what's been a challenging and uncertain period. I've learned a lot about myself over the past few months, and I'm more motivated than ever to get back to doing what I love.

Bombers secure young gun for the long haul
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Nik Cox and Zach Reid of the Bombers are seen during the 2022 AFL Round 07 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium on May 01, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"My focus now is on continuing to work closely with specialists and the club to make sure I'm in the best place physically and mentally to return to football.โ€

The panel's recommendation comes two weeks after West Coast veteran Jeremy McGovern was forced to retire due to his own battle with concussion.

Ex-Collingwood pair Nathan Murphy and Lachie Carmichael, McGover's former Eagles teammate Luke Edwards and uncapped ex-Bulldog Aiden O'Driscoll all left the AFL last year due to concussion concerns.

Cox has played 53 games for Essendon since joining the club via the 2020 AFL Draft, making his debut the following season and playing a career-high 22 games that year.

He would play 20 games in 2024 after a pair of injury-impacted seasons.