RUCKMAN Matthew Leuenberger will miss up to 12 weeks with a right knee injury, while teammate Pearce Hanley is expected to miss two weeks with a hamstring strain as the Brisbane Lions' horror run with injury continues.
The Lions announced on Tuesday that Leuenberger had undergone surgery that morning to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee.
Leuenberger suffered the injury during Saturday's 113-point loss to Port Adelaide, with the Lions now expecting him to miss between 10-12 weeks.
"It's obviously an extremely disappointing setback for Matthew," Lions football manager Dean Warren told lions.com.au.
"He is an integral part of our side and a strong on-field leader and we will definitely miss his presence.
"We have lost a wealth of experience due to injury over the last few weeks, so to lose Matthew for an extended period of time will challenge our depth.
"We are certain Matthew will approach his rehabilitation with absolute professionalism and that the rest of our leaders will step up in his absence."
The Lions said Hanley had suffered a grade-one hamstring tear against the Power and would miss about two weeks.
Then injuries to Leuenberger and Hanley come just a week after midfielder Daniel Rich suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Lions' round three loss to Gold Coast.
Veterans Ash McGrath (calf) and Brent Staker (calf) are also among the 11 Lions listed as injured this week.
