Melbourne will give Jake Lever and Matthew Jefferson every chance to play in Saturday's Wildcard Round clash against Carlton at the MCG.
The pair are dealing with respective injuries, and are in doubt to take their place in the senior side.
"It's a hyper-extended knee with some bone bruising," Demons coach Steven King said on AFL360.
"He escaped any ligament damage, which is a real positive. How he goes later in the week, we'll wait and see.
"When I saw it, I initially thought the worst, so we've dodged a real bullet there.
"Then we've got Jakey Lever as well, just with his toe. Luckily, no break, but it is quite sore. Again, we'll give him right up until Thursday to see if he can train.
"But it'll be up in the hands of how he responds to the treatment."
King revealed that a host of fringe players produced a 13km session on Saturday at Gosch's Paddock on Saturday.
Many are pushing their case for a senior recall, if the Demons are forced into changes.
Veteran Jake Melksham - who announced his retirement - looms as a forward option after strong form in the VFL while back-up ruck Max Heath has been flagged.
"If those two talls don't get up, we'll have to consider a couple, whether we bring in a second ruck and allow Max (Gawn) to play forward," King said.
"We've got some options."
Veteran midfielder Jack Viney is also banging down the door for his first AFL game in 2026.
"He's there abouts," King said.
"He trained strongly again. Got through. He'll be under serious consideration."
King, when asked if he'd push some of his players to the line who are under an injury cloud, he insisted the welfare and well-being of the injured pair are put first.
"You'd want to make sure you're okay," King added.
"First and foremost, the player's welfare and well-being. I don't want to jab a player to play a final and then not get through. It would let down the rest of our playing group and obviously the welfare of the player.
"I think training this week, and how they respond during the week, will tell us."
