MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Dylan Shiel of the Bombers looks dejected after defeat during the round 6 AFL match between Essendon and Collingwood at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Essendon is hopeful Dylan Shiel has no sustained an ACL injury, despite ending last night's game on crutches.

Shiel injured his right knee in the final quarter in the Bombers' 54-point loss to Port Adelaide.

Essendon coach Ben Rutten said in his post-game press conference that the Bombers are hopeful Shiel did not sustain any damage to his ACL.

"The doctors don’t think [Shiel's injury is] an ACL. It's just locked up a little bit, so he'll have some scans and work out exactly what it is … but [it didn't look] great," Rutten told reporters including AFL.com.au's Luke Michael.

It was a horror night for the Bombers who trailed by 27 points at quarter time.

Jye Caldwell was subbed out of the game in the third quarter after injuring his left hamstring, while young ruckman Sam Draper hurt his ankle in a marking contest.

The Bombers have the chance to turn their fortunes around when they host St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, April 3.