MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Jack Henry of the Cats avoids a tackle by Blake Hardwick of the Hawks during the round 3 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 05, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

A foot injury will see Cat Jack Henry miss at least this weekend, but Geelong isn't yet sure when the defender will return.

Henry hurt his foot when stepping on the boot of an opposing Hawk on Easter Monday, and was subbed out in the third quarter.

It's the same foot that had to be operated on in January after a partial foot fracture, which derailed the improving backman's pre-season.

Harry Taylor, now Geelong's Head of Medical and Conditioning Services, said the injury was "acute".

"We’ll take a cautious approach with his reloading and get some further imaging done to investigate further," the champion defender said.

Geelong are still awaiting conclusive scans that should shed light on the seriousness of the injury, which currently has Henry in a moon boot and struggling with weight-bearing exercises.

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According to AFL.com, the Cats are yet to consider surgery and are unsure how much football Henry will miss, but he has been ruled out of this weekend's contest with North Melbourne in Tasmania at least.

It's a massive blow to both club and player, with Henry one of Geelong's headiest improvers. The 23-year-old took out second place in the Carji Greeves Medal behind Tom Stewart last season, and has been earmarked as the heir apparent in Geelong's perennially dominant defensive unit.

Geelong are seventh after losing an Easter Monday classic to the Hawks, and will look to rebound against the 17th-placed Kangaroos on Sunday at Blundstone Arena.