COLLINGWOOD does not expect Darcy Moore to play against Adelaide at the MCG this week after he hurt his neck against West Coast and ended up in hospital last Sunday.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said on Tuesday Moore had not been completely ruled out but conceded the 21-year-old forward was not in his plans for the game.

Buckley said Moore was out of hospital, but was still sore after his neck was compressed when he collapsed under a pack of players.

"Structurally the scans are fine, the MRI has come back pretty well in regards to ligaments and soft tissue, but that does not mean there is not some bruising of some sort," Buckley said.

"He's just a sore boy at the moment, copping a knock to a sensitive part of the body. His long-term future and welfare is of paramount importance." 

Collingwood will also be without speedster Travis Varcoe after he dislocated his elbow against the Eagles when he landed heavily and was concussed.

However, Buckley had better news on Varcoe on Tuesday than he did immediately after Sunday's game when he suspected the injury might rule him out for the rest of the season.

In a revision of first thoughts, Varcoe is now a chance to return in round 20 or 21.

"The [dislocated elbow] went back in relatively cleanly, which is not always the case with elbows, and although that is clearly really sore there is not a lot of ligament damage," Buckley said.

"The prognosis for getting him back before the end of the year is good."  

He said Tom Phillips and Mason Cox had put themselves in the frame for selection with good performances in the VFL against Richmond on Sunday, while Josh Daicos was continuing to string good form together.