RICHMOND star Brett Deledio is unsure when he will return to AFL action as he recovers from a quadriceps injury, despite "running strongly".

Deledio, 28, struggled with a calf injury in the pre-season. It restricted him to playing just one NAB Challenge match, the Tigers' final hit-out against Port Adelaide.

Now, the quadricep injury has forced him to miss the first two rounds of the season.

"When I first did it I thought anywhere under four weeks was really good, but it's something I really don't want to rush," he told Richmond's website.

"As soon as you come back too early you kick and you nick it again, then you're out for another three or four [weeks].

"We will be cautious with it.

"I'm running quite strongly at the moment … I'm getting plenty of kilometres into my legs. It's just kicking at the moment.

"If you could handball goals I'd probably be a chance to play, but unfortunately you have to kick them."

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said on Thursday Deledio could return through the VFL.