NORTH Melbourne defender Majak Daw will avoid surgery after rupturing a pectoral muscle in the gym post-training on Friday.

Daw faced sitting out a second straight season if he required an operation, given the recovery period would be about 12 weeks.

Without surgery, the Kangaroos are now hopeful the 29-year-old could be back within 3-4 weeks.

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Teammate Aaron Hall and Hawk Blake Hardwick both had operations after similar setbacks in recent years.

"Maj was doing his weights program and felt a sharp pain on his right side during a chest exercise," North's football boss Brady Rawlings said on Sunday.

"He was sent for scans and the imaging showed a tear.

"Majak has had an unfortunate run with injury of late but we will support him and ensure he can recover well, and hopefully build up to playing games again this year."

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Daw was unsighted at AFL level last season after suffering serious hip and pelvic injuries in a fall from a Melbourne bridge in December 2018.

He made it back for four VFL matches, only for a torn left hamstring to end his hopes of a fairytale senior return.

Daw, who signed a one-year deal for this season, had a strong pre-season and was set to play in round one before being a late withdrawal because of illness.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent season suspension further delayed his comeback hopes but he was again primed for selection until this latest injury.

Daw's played 50 AFL games and he enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2018 in a new position down back as an interceptor.

It was a tough week for injuries at Arden Street, with Taylor Garner (hamstring) and Ed Vickers-Willis (turf toe) also set for more time on the sidelines.