ADELAIDE is set to throw comeback king Andy Otten back into defence with key backman Kyle Hartigan ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Otten has been used at both ends of the ground, but will be the likely replacement for Hartigan for Friday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.

The Crows will also be without link-up forward Tom Lynch for at least another week as he recovers from viral meningitis.

However, speedster Charlie Cameron is expected to return after missing last weekend's 12-point win over Carlton with a wrist injury.

Otten missed the past two seasons after tearing the ACL in his knee in 2014.

But the 28-year-old made a triumphant return this year, playing the first 13 games of the season in defence, attack and competing strongly as the back-up ruckman before he was dropped last week.

He gets another chance after Hartigan hobbled from the ground clutching his hamstring in the third quarter of the last weekend's win over the Blues.

"Scan results have revealed a little bit of damage to that hamstring," Crows general manager of high performance Matt Hass told afc.com.au.

"We expect him (Hartigan) to be out for about a month to six weeks."

Lynch became ill early last week and spent time in the Intensive Care Unit in hospital.

He visited the club's West Lakes headquarters on Monday and is resting at home.

"Lynchy won’t play this weekend and will be an ongoing assessment for the weeks ahead," Hass said.

"We won’t rush things with Tom.

"It’ll be a day-by-day assessment on how he adapts and copes with physical activity."

Meanwhile, defender Kyle Cheney has suffered another blow in his attempt to return to the senior side.

Cheney – who played every game last year – will be sidelined for one to two weeks with a minor hamstring injury.