Essendon star Darcy Parish is reportedly facing close to a month on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury at training this week.
The Bombers confirmed ahead of their Round 9 selection that the midfielder wouldn't be making the trip to Queensland to face Brisbane after feeling tightness in his calf on Thursday.
Parish has since been sent for scans as the club sweats on the health of the 25-year-old, who is the latest Bomber to join a long injury list at Tullamarine.
According to AFL.com.au'sย Cal Twomey, it is estimated that Parish will miss a month of football due to the setback, an untimely blow for the Bombers' hopes of finding back some form after recording three successive defeats.
Essendon will clash with the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night in a bid to snap their winless run before upcoming fixtures against Richmond, West Coast, North Melbourne and Carlton before their Round 14 bye.
Parish could miss that entire period before looking to make a return, which would come in Round 15 when Essendon make the trip west to face Fremantle, meaning the Bombers' inside onballer could miss a total of five games over six weeks before a return.
Essendon were forced into three changes for their matchup with Brisbane, with defensive pair Jake Kelly and Jordan Ridley both sidelined due to concussion, seeing Jye Menzie retain his place in the side after being named the sub as Sam Durham and Kaine Baldwin make returns.
The trio of injured Bombers add to an extensive injury list under Brad Scott, with Peter Wright (shoulder), Harrison Jones (back), Zach Reid (hamstring), Matt Guelfi (hamstring), Nik Cox (back) and Jayden Laverde (shoulder) among those sidelined.
Essendon will enter their Round 9 clash against Brisbane with an even four wins and four losses to their name.
