HAWTHORN could be without in-form ruckman Ben McEvoy for six weeks after his game-ending ankle injury on Sunday.

McEvoy's right ankle was caught underneath him as Richmond defender Nathan Broad tackled him late in the first quarter.

The 29-year-old briefly returned to the field in the second term, but didn't play after half-time in the Hawks' 36-point defeat to the Tigers. 

"He's had the high ankle sprain out of the game on the weekend, a sort of mild syndesmosis," Hawthorn football boss Graham Wright said.

"At this stage, we think (he will be out for) four to six weeks.

"They're a little bit tricky, obviously, and do take some time, so we'll just give him plenty of time and hope that he's back not too far after the bye."

WHEN WILL YOUR STARS BE BACK? Check out the full AFL injury list

Jon Ceglar becomes the Hawks' No.1 big man in McEvoy's absence, and it remains to be seen if they will turn to Marc Pittonet – fresh from 43 hitouts on Sunday – to continue the two-ruck approach.

A number of Hawthorn players will undergo fitness tests this week, including dual All Australian Chad Wingard (hamstring), James Frawley (defender), Isaac Smith (foot) and Mitch Lewis (concussion).

Find In the Game on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify

The Hawks have a six-day turnaround to Saturday's contest with Port Adelaide and completed only a light training session on Tuesday.

Wingard moved well throughout the session and ended it with some extended goalkicking practice, but Thursday's main session looms as his major hurdle.

Frawley is on track to return, but Smith – a late withdrawal a fortnight ago – is rated only an outside chance and could miss a third match in a row.

Ryan Schoenmakers (calf) was on the track on Tuesday and hoping to return in the VFL this weekend, along with first-year draftee Jacob Koschitzke, who missed last week's game.