Western Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman has suffered an injury setback in his recovery from a serious knee issue resulting from a rare congenital condition called bipartite patella, a false joint that sits within his kneecap.
Weightman was already ruled out for the first half of the 2025 season, but this latest update could see that timeline extended.
The Bulldogs provided an update.
"Results from a recent routine scan have confirmed that further surgical management will be required to the damaged area of the knee cap," the statement read.
"This surgery will take place in coming days, with a more accurate timeline to be determined in coming weeks."
The Whitten Oval club has faced multiple injuries to key players, including Sam Darcy (knee), Adam Treloar (calf) and Liam Jones (hamstring).
Captain Marcus Bontempelli also missed the first five games with a "complex calf injury".
The Dogs' forward line also hasn't seen former Pick 1 Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who has taken indefinite leave.
Treloar returned to the senior side last week for the first time this year, but will miss the clash against the Gold Coast in Darwin in Round 9, with the club reporting injury.
Jones, who was demoted to the VFL in recent weeks, will be out for up to a month following his latest hamstring setback.
In more positive news, the early diagnosis of Darcy's knee ruled him out for 2025, but after subsequent scans, the father-son gun could return in July ahead of the finals series.
The Western Bulldogs have made a positive start to the opening weeks of the campaign, recording five victories and are arguably the most in-form team in the competition.
