ESSENDON'S nightmare season continues to get worse with skipper Andrew McGrath and small forward Matt Guelfi ruled out until at least the Bombers' mid-season bye, while Sam Durham will miss next week's crucial clash with Waalitj Marawar after entering concussion protocols.

McGrath will undergo surgery this week after sustaining a fractured jaw during Friday night's Dreamtime at the 'G clash with Richmond.

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The 27-year-old was taken to hospital for scans during the Bombers' 18-point loss to the Tigers which confirmed the fracture.

Guelfi's night ended in the opening minutes of the game after he sustained a hamstring injury, with scans confirming a tear.

Both McGrath and Guelfi will be sidelined until after the Bombers' bye in round 15, with the Eagles, Carlton and Narrm to come for Essendon before then.

Midfielder Durham has entered concussion protocols following a first-quarter collision with Richmond's Tom Lynch and will miss at least Sunday's clash with the Eagles.

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In better news for the Bombers, forward Archie May has been cleared of any serious damage after a heavy collision in the last quarter and is expected to be available to take on the Eagles.

"It was a tough night for our group," Bombers footy boss Daniel McPherson said.

"Losing players early in a game is particularly difficult as it puts enormous pressure on rotations and player loads. We were down to just one on the bench for most of the game.

"Andy, Matt, Sam and Archie are all in good hands. We'll work through their respective return-to-play plans in the coming days, and provide a further update on the broader group once we have completed additional assessments early in the week."

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Andrew McGrath sustains a suspected broken jaw from these incidents in the first half

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Midfielder Jye Caldwell will be assessed this week after pulling up sore, having played through through an ankle/syndesmosis injury suffered in the first quarter.

Will Setterfield and Elijah Tsatas were withdrawn from Saturday's VFL match against Richmond as a precaution.

It adds to what is a growing injury toll at Essendon, with 13 players unavailable leading into the clash with the Tigers.