INJURED Hawks champion Cyril Rioli has returned from Darwin and is back running in his recovery from a serious left knee issue.

The three-time Virgin Australia AFL All Australian has endured a tough season, missing Hawthorn's round six game against St Kilda with a hip problem then sustaining the knee injury a fortnight later.

Rioli's left knee collided with Brisbane Lion Josh Walker in a marking contest and he landed awkwardly before limping from the field in the third quarter of the Hawks' 38-point win at Launceston.

His initial prognosis was up to three months out, but Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson hinted the 2015 North Smith medallist may not play again until next year if the club's struggles linger.

Match preview: Adelaide v Hawthorn

Hawks players had five days off during the bye period, but officials permitted Rioli even more time, to be able to fly to the Northern Territory and watch the NRL game in the Top End.

Rioli caught up with family, friends and also North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston, whose Cowboys beat Parramatta 32-6 at Darwin's TIO Stadium on June 10.

It is unclear if the 27-year-old continued his rehabilitation program in the NT or had a break, given he doesn't use the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre's facilities when he returns home.

Rioli is one of many sidelined Hawthorn stars, along with Grant Birchall (knee), Luke Hodge (groin), Luke Breust (illness), James Frawley (turf toe), and Jaeger O'Meara and Ben Stratton (both knee bone bruising).

Birchall, Hodge and Breust are set to return on Thursday night against Adelaide, but Josh Gibson (groin) will miss two-to-four weeks after hurting himself against Gold Coast before the bye.

Stratton should come back in round 15 but O'Meara's return to football is uncertain after the club confirmed he has a new injury to his troubled patella.

Rioli has kicked five goals in his seven matches this season and is averaging 12.4 disposals and three tackles.