Melbourne newspaper The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday morning that the star midfielder is being troubled by a small fragment of floating cartilage in his right knee, the same joint he had surgery on over the summer.
The 23-year-old had a severely disrupted pre-season as he recovered from the operation, but has played all three matches so far this season, without his usual impact.
He had 21 disposals in Easter Monday’s win over Richmond, but started on the bench and played with strapping on the right knee.
The club is hopeful of a round five return against Carlton and did not want to risk Cooney for Sunday’s clash at Subiaco Oval with only a six-day turnaround.
The Bulldogs are 3-0 and looking good, but will hope Cooney can return to his explosive form of 2008 to make sure their hopes of a top-four finish are realised.
