Essendon's season from hell is finally over, but the lingering effects of injuries to key players could last if the club doesn't tread carefully.
The Bombers debuted 15 players, mostly out of necessity, as star after star went down.
The Victorian club welcomed six prospects through its doors via the SSP and MSD as Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Tom Edwards and Lewis Hayes all went down.
Essendon provided an update on 16 players heading into the off-season.
All updates from the Bombers.
Sam Draper (Achilles)
"Draper is making solid progress and building his single-leg calf strength.
"The ruck will aim to return to running as the next major milestone in his recovery in the coming weeks."
Darcy Parish (calf)
"Parish will complete a three-day testing and rehabilitation block in Baltimore, USA, as part of his off-season program.
"The midfielder will aim to recommence running and continue his progress upon returning to Melbourne, to be ready for day one of pre-season in November."
Parish hasn't played a full season since his 2021 All-Australian year and has only featured 15 times in the past 24 months.
Elijah Tsatas (hamstring)
"Tsatas has completed all milestones in recovering from a hamstring strain and will kick off his standard off-season program uninterrupted."
The emerging midfielder has played 16 senior games despite dominating in the VFL.
He is contracted for 2026 but could be seen as gettable given the lack of opportunities at the Bombers.
Jye Caldwell (syndesmosis)
"Caldwell is reaching the end stages of his ankle rehabilitation and tolerating high running loads and change of direction progressions.
"He'll aim to complete the full off-season program upon his return to Melbourne after the break and be ready for a big pre-season."
Will Setterfield (foot)
"Setterfield is in the early stages of rehab and is gradually progressing his bearing weight status on his foot after a Lisfranc rupture.
"He will undergo the second stage procedure when back in Melbourne after some time away during the break, then continue to progress with his rehab."
Setterfield is currently without a deal for 2026 but had made major inroads as a key pillar of the club's midfield prior to his injury.
Nik Cox (concussion)
"Cox has recommenced running as part of his ongoing concussion rehabilitation as guided by external concussion experts following his hearing before the AFL's Concussion Panel in July.
"The Club is currently awaiting further information for the next steps in his recovery."
Cox played 20 games last year but wasn't sighted in 2025. He is contracted for 2026.
Jordan Ridley (hamstring)
"Ridley has completed all his milestones from his hamstring injury.
"The defender will also work closely with a sprint coach upon returning to Melbourne, after some time overseas during the off-season break."
Ridley has struggled to get his body right in recent years, featuring a measly 36 times in the past three seasons.
Lewis Hayes (ACL)
"Hayes recommenced running this week without any concerns.
"He'll continue his rehabilitation largely at the Club throughout the off-season. He remains on track to return in the early rounds of 2026."
Harry Jones (ankle)
"Jones had successful arthroscopic surgery this week to clean up a lingering cartilage issue after dislocating his ankle earlier in the year.
"The next steps in his rehab and return to running will become clearer after he has recovered from this procedure."
Nick Bryan (ACL)
"Bryan resumed running over the past week without concern.
"He will keep progressing in his rehab following some time away during the break period. He remains on track to return in the early rounds of 2026."
Bryan recently signed a two-year extension.
Archie May (ankle)
"May is improving his strength and range of motion in his ankle after an injury in round 22.
"He is aiming to enter a full off-season program following another 2-3 weeks of rehab and be ready for pre-season returning in November."
The Mid-Season draftee impressed when he joined the club.
Nate Caddy (groin)
"Caddy has been recovering well from groin soreness in the back end of the season.
"The 20-year-old will continue his strength and reconditioning program over the off-season, including an intensive week-long block at the Aspetar facility in Doha, Qatar, in September.
"Caddy is expected to complete the full pre-season program when the 1-4-year players return in early November."
Zach Reid (hamstring)
"Reid is making excellent progress from his most recent hamstring injury and will complete his end-stage rehabilitation in the next 2 weeks.
"Following a break overseas, Reid will return to Melbourne to commence working with a specialist sprint coach to improve his high-speed running ability in conjunction with his normal off-season program.
"He will be ready to go for day one of pre-season."
Reid played a career-best 10 games in 2025, adding to the nine in previous years. He re-signed until the end of 2028.
Ben McKay (foot)
"Following a ruptured plantar plate in his foot prior to the halfway point of the season, McKay has now fully completed his required rehab.
"The key defender will now move into an uninterrupted off-season program and is expected to be in full training at the commencement of pre-season."
Nic Martin (ACL)
"Martin has made a terrific early start to his rehab following surgery on his ruptured ACL.
"He will largely be based in Melbourne as he continues his strong progress through the off-season with the aim to commence running towards the end of October."
Tom Edwards (ACL)
"Edwards has tolerated his return to running over the past two weeks without any concerns and will now increase his running frequency in the weeks to come. He remains on track to return in the early rounds of 2026."
The Bombers committed to Edwards for 2026 despite the injury.
