ADELAIDE veteran Ian Callinan's injury scare is nothing more than a knee sprain, with the 30-year-old expected to be available for the Crows' round one clash with Essendon.

Callinan was subbed out of last Friday night's NAB Cup game against Carlton at quarter-time after suffering a knock to his left knee and, while coaches didn't expect it to be a serious injury, they said scans would be needed.

But the small forward has recovered so well the club cleared him of significant damage and opted against having the knee scanned.

Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry