Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia has been ruled out of the Tigers' upcoming match against the Brisbane Lions this Thursday night at The Gabba.
Prestia, who will miss due to a calf strain, currently doesn't currently have a timeline for return, with the Tigers coming off their Round 15 bye.
The 30-year-old's next opportunity to be game-fit is for Richmond's Round 17 clash with the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
While Prestia's soft-tissue injury history rears its ugly head, the Tigers will welcome the return of midfield recruit Jacob Hopper, who has recovered from a soleus issue that kept him sidelined for five matches.
Samson Ryan (ankle) and Noah Cumberland (soleus) are also available for selection this Thursday, giving Andrew McQualter's men a boost to offset Prestia's absence.
However, disappointingly, Tom Lynch remains on a long-term return timeline with his foot injury, with it appearing gradually unlikely that he will be able to return to play this season unless the Tigers can stage a finals assault.
The Tigers and Lions are set to battle this Thursday at 7:20 PM AEST.
