Carlton rebounder Zac Williams has been subbed out of the Blues' Round 9 battle against GWS after being halted in an innocuous incident.
With the Giants mounting a second term comeback after their visitors slammed home the first four goals of the critical contest, Williams was seen tracking back to influence a marking contest.
However, ahead of any contact, the 27-year-old fell to the Sydney Showground surface before being helped from the ground.
Though scans are yet to be conducted, reports from the Harbour City suggest that the former Giant has sustained an Achilles-related injury.
According to Fox Footy and Herald Sun scribe Jon Ralph, the high-priced import had complained of soreness in the particular region as early as a fortnight ago.
Zac Williams has been subbed out of the game after this injury. He's been replaced by medical sub Matt Cottrell. #AFLGiantsBlues https://t.co/JRzMSOyHkl
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 15, 2022
Young midfielder Matt Cottrell was brought into the match in place of Zac Williams as the Blues were forced to make their medical substitution.
Williams has form in this area, having torn the tendon in 2018 during a routine pre-season training period in January of that year.
Whilst the tattooed defensive option missed the entirety of the home and away season that year, Williams was able to return for the Giants' elimination-final victory over Sydney and their subsequent loss against Collingwood in the semi-final the next week.
Standardised returns from injuries of this ilk usually require a 12-month rehabilitation, and should a total rupture of the integral tendon prove to be the case, it appears likely that the Narrandera-born speedster's season will have come to a premature close.
Prior to the commencement of Round 9, Williams had produced averages of 22.6 disposals and 6.1 rebound 50s across the course of his ameliorated 2022 campaign.
Williams has featured on both David Teague and Michael Voss' teamsheet on 22 of a possible 31 occasions since joining Carlton ahead of the 2021 season.
The former pick 54 from the 2013 Rookie Draft has made 135 AFL appearances since debuting in Round 5 of the 2014 season, a 65-point Giants loss at the hands of the Adelaide Crows.
