Brisbane defender Dayne Zorko could be out for up to six weeks after scans revealed more damage to his quad than first thought.
Zorko hasn't played football since Round 9 against Carlton, and was listed as two weeks away earlier in the week by the club.
However, Lions coach Chris Fagan provided the unsettling update on Thursday.
"He felt sore again in training last week, and scans have revealed he's got more damage there than previously," Fagan said.
"He could be out for up to six weeks."
Zorko's durability has been his biggest strength, playing a minimum of 16 games since his debut in 2012.
During the premiership seasons, the 37-year-old didn't miss a trick, playing 54 matches in the past two years.
"It's a concern," Fagan said of the injury.
"But he is 37 years of age, so maybe that's got something to do with it.
"It's just one of those things in the rehab process. All rehab processes don't go perfectly, unfortunately.
"He was looking good, and then in the last training session last week, he felt it again, and we re-scanned it, and it's not great news."
Zorko is tipped to miss clashes against Fremantle, Gold Coast, Richmond and Sydney, while Geelong in Round 17 is six weeks away.
Noah Answerth and Jarrod Berry should be available to take on the Dockers.
