COLLINGWOOD ruckman Darren Jolly will be sidelined for up to a further three weeks as he overcomes a rib injury, sustained in last week's win over Carlton.

The Magpies this week confirmed no broken bones for the premiership ruckman but cartilage damage which has caused discomfort.

Ben Hudson came into the line-up in place of Jolly against the Hawks and Magpies chief executive Gary Pert said Jolly would remain on the sidelines until he was pain-free.

"Darren's coming along," Pert said.

"If anyone's had a big whack in the ribs, they know how tough it can, especially for a ruckman where you're having to hold your body position so strongly against another 110kg gorilla.

"Until that pain goes away, that'll be a matter of two or three weeks, he can't compete.

"That gives Ben Hudson a chance to get out there. We recruited him for this exact reason. I don't think we're going to drop away."

The Magpies face high-flying Richmond in round four, before the Anzac Day clash against Essendon and a round-six meeting with St Kilda.