Collingwood forward Jamie Elliot is set to miss up to three months of football after hurting his shoulder in the Magpies' loss to West Coast on Saturday afternoon.
Elliot has been a standout under new coach Craig McRae this season but the new boss will need to find another forward option in the absence of the high flyer.
The injury occurred when Elliot was crunched in a tackle by Eagle Jermain Jones at the start of the last quarter when the game was on the line.
Collingwood confirmed on Sunday that Elliot would undergo surgery to repair the damaged shoulder.
The club said in a statement that they would provide further details on when Pies fans can expect to see Elliot again.
McRae confirmed at his post-game press conference that Elliot had been sent to hospital after suffering the injury.
"He's going straight to hospital," McRae said.
"It could be quite a serious injury. If he needs an operation, it could be 12 weeks.
"It's not a great result for us. He's a pivotal part of what we do and we care deeply for him."
McRae said that it will leave a very difficult hole for him and his team to replace.
"It's massive – he's one of our forward leaders, an incredible pressure player," McRae said.
"The thing you don't see is the way he's leading our young players.
"It does leave a hole."
Collingwood were without Jordan De Goey and Taylor Adams for yesterday's defeat to the previously winless Eagles with the Pies now slipping to 2-2.
Back-to-back losses have soured a promising start to the season for Collingwood. Their loss to West Coast was one of the upsets of the season and they lead Geelong by as much as 30 points in Round 3 before being overrun.
Collingwood take on Brisbane on Thursday at the Gabba in Round 4.
