North Melbourne youngster Hugo Mikunda is set for an extended stint on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL in training on Monday this week.
On the club's first day of pre-season training, Mikunda hyperextended his knee when landing in a marking contest.
"Scans confirmed the injury, which disappointingly will see Hugo miss the 2027 season with the need for surgical repair," head of performance Kevin White said.
The creative medium forward is yet to play a match at AFL level after being drafted with Pick No. 48 in the 2025 AFL Draft.
Star midfielder George Wardlaw sustained a low-level MCL sprain over the off-season but is expected to rejoin the main group in the next fortnight.
"Pleasingly, George has put in a huge amount of work in the off-season on his running and strength base, which he will use as great foundations when he integrates back in," White said.
High-prized recruit Nick Blakey had a procedure on his AC joint in the off-season and will look to transition into the group skills in December.
Tom Powell and Toby Pink are on modified programs for the remainder of the year.
Tom has had a really diligent off-season with his preparation," White said.
"He joined some team skills training this week and we envisage he'll be on modified program across the next six weeks to ensure he is absorbing football intensities safely without symptoms.
"Toby has been at a point where he has restriction of overhead mobility post-surgery, which should resolve across the next month.
"In the meantime, he's been in group skills training in a non-contact capacity and working hard with his running fitness and gym work."
Key defenders Charlie Comben and Griffin Logue are eyeing a return to full training in the new year.
Comben has now begun strengthening his shoulder but has no restrictions on running, while Logue will aim to get into non-contact group skills in January.
Father-son youngster Jackson Archer will return to running next week after an ACL injury earlier this year.
