Essendon forward Harrison Jones will miss his side's finals series after undergoing surgery on his foot, per The Age's Daniel Cherny.
Jones hasn't featured for the Bombers since Round 17, battling soreness in his foot the following week before being a late withdrawal from Ben Rutten's Round 18 side.
The Bombers had hoped to have Jones in the frame for selection ahead of Sunday's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs, but came to the decision to have their young forward go under the knife after seeking a specialist.
Forward
Disposals
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Goals
The procedure will sideline Jones for the foreseeable future, with the Bombers now planning to have the 20-year-old readily prepared for pre-season ahead of their 2022 campaign.
Jones has booted 20 goals from his 16 matches in the red sash this season, making his debut in Essendon's season opener against Hawthorn.
The promising spearhead battled a similar injury in his maiden year at Tullamarine, having to bide his time before this season due to the setback.
Jones' absence is a further blow to Rutten's forward planning, with goal-sneak Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti currently sidelined due to personal reasons.
The Bombers will head to Tasmania this weekend to face the fifth-placed Bulldogs, who are facing injury concerns of their own.
Defensive duo Hayden Crozier (concussion) and Ed Richards (shoulder) have been ruled out of the must-win clash.
Sunday's match will be underway at 3:20pm at the University of Tasmania Stadium.
