Brisbane's unlucky spell with COVID outs for Round 17 has only increased, with vice-captain Harris Andrews joining a trio of outs due to the AFL's health and safety protocols.

The Lions have already been forced into seven changes for Sunday's clash with Essendon, with forward Daniel McStay, flanker Keidean Coleman and utility Callum Ah Chee all ruled out of the match due to the COVID protocols.

The three omissions joined captain Dayne Zorko (hamstring), Daniel Rich (hamstring), Jarrod Berry (hamstring) and Jaxon Prior (quad) in being ruled out this weekend's action, forcing Lions coach Chris Fagan into an array of changes.

Senior duo Mitch Robinson and Ryan Lester were brought into Fagan's side, while Darcy Fort, Carter Michael, Rhys Mathieson, Thomas Berry, James Madden, Harry Sharp, Nakia Cockatoo and Tom Fullarton have all been named on the Lions' extended bench.

Brisbane confirmed on Friday that Andrews will miss this weekend's action due to health and safety protocols, with Deven Robertson joining the club's 26-man squad.

Brisbane will confirm their 22-man side to face the Bombers at 5pm (AEST) on Friday evening, with their final squad and medical sub to be confirmed an hour before the opening bounce of Sunday's match.

The loss of Brisbane's star backman will tilt Sunday's contest further toward Essendon, who are looking to earn back some plaudits with two wins from their past three matches following a disastrous start to their 2022 campaign.

The Lions aren't the only side to face COVID-related blows for Round 17, with Adelaide (Mitch Hinge), Gold Coast (Izak Rankine, Oleg Markov) and GWS (Connor Idun) also losing personnel.

The absence of both Andrews and Zorko will mean the captaincy will be handed to one of Lachie Neale, Lincoln McCarthy or Hugh McCluggage, who are the only three Lions named to play from their eight-man leadership group.

Sunday's match is scheduled to start at 1:10pm (AEST) at the Gabba.