The future of Essendon youngster Nik Cox has been placed in jeopardy as it's been confirmed he has re-entered concussion protocols.
Cox - who was taken with Pick 8 in the 2021 National Draft - suffered a knock to the head in Round 22 last year that has seemingly created persistent problems.
The young Bomber was then concussed in a training tackle before the Christmas break, resulting in ongoing symptoms over New Year's and into large parts of the pre-season.
Cox managed to resume training and return for the Round 6 clash against North Melbourne in the VFL. He gathered 10 disposals.
He featured in the following week's contest against Sydney, collecting 13 touches playing on the wing.
However, when he returned to training, concussion symptoms had reappeared, according to AFL Media's Cal Twomey, and he has subsequently been placed into concussion protocols.
Cox will not feature at any level of football this week.
The string of concussions suffered by the former Pick 10 has placed his career in jeopardy.
In the same week, West Coast veteran Jeremy McGovern is set to face the independent AFL Concussion Panel to determine his future in the game after multiple head knocks across his career, with the latest coming in Round 8 against Melbourne.
Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael were medically retired in the past 18 months, as were Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs' Aiden O'Driscoll.
Cox has played 53 games across the past four seasons, including 22 in his maiden campaign.
