COURTENAY Dempsey is set for more time on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in the VFL on Saturday.
AFL.com.au understands the pivotal Essendon defender will have scans on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, but is likely to miss more weeks after an already interrupted pre-season.
Dempsey, an important member of the Bombers' line-up with his speed and skill, missed large chunks of summer training after tearing his hamstring tendon in round 19 last year.
But the news was better for ruckman Paddy Ryder, who may still be fit to face Carlton on Sunday.
Ryder rolled his ankle in the Bombers' loss to Hawthorn last week, but scans revealed no major damage.
"We hope we can get him up for Sunday but at this stage it is going to be close and with a nine day break we will decide later in the week," club doctor Bruce Reid told the Essendon website.
Dempsey's injury is a blow for the Bombers given his form in the VFL practice match against Richmond.
He ran well and carried the ball, and kicked two long goals in the final quarter before walking off the field and not returning.
After the game, VFL coach Hayden Skipworth said he wasn't aware of any issues for the 26-year-old, but scans are expected to reveal a strain.
Dempsey has had a tough run with soft tissue injuries throughout his career since making his AFL debut with the club in 2006.
The 88-gamer also had a knee reconstruction in 2011 which forced him to miss the majority of the season.
