All-Australian prospect Dylan Grimes has avoided major damage on his ankle but is still no certainty to play in Richmond's must-win clash against the Lions on Sunday.

Grimes suffered the injury during the third quarter of his side's match against West Coast yesterday and had to be carried off the ground by trainers.

He returned to play out the game, but had his right foot wrapped in ice in the rooms after the match.

But the latest update appears to spell good news for the All-Australian hopeful, with Grimes avoiding surgery and any major damage to his ankle.

If Grimes is able to play on Sunday, it will be a huge boost for the Tigers as they face off against the top-of-the-table Brisbane Lions in a must-win clash as any result other than a win will put their top-four aspirations in jeopardy.