COLLINGWOOD ruckman Darren Jolly remains unlikely to face Geelong in the highly anticipated round eight clash at the MCG next Friday night as he continues to overcome a knee injury.

The 29-year-old dual premiership player underwent a scope following the Magpies' Anzac Day triumph over Essendon after missing round four with soreness in the joint.

He then missed Sunday evening's win over the Western Bulldogs and is now expected to return after the blockbuster clash with the Cats on May 13.

"He's doing all the work and the rehab that's required," Collingwood general manager of football Geoff Walsh told collingwoodfc.com.au on Wednesday.

"We won't make any assessment on him this week but we've already declared it's very unlikely he'll play Geelong, so we don't expect him to do that."

Walsh said there was nothing to suggest Jolly's absence would extend beyond next weekend but a more detailed picture would be painted after the Pies' upcoming bye.

Ben Johnson was subbed out of Sunday's game with a tight back while Chris Tarrant was a late withdrawal with soreness.

Walsh said both would benefit from the bye this weekend and that Johnson's complaint wasn't expected to be serious.

"I don't think it's been a worry before," he said. "I think it's just soreness.

"We won't make any medical assessments until next week.

"It's been a bit of a down week and will continue to be a down week to give the boys a bit of a break.

"Those guys who are suffering from a few little niggles will spend most of this week receiving treatment and then once we get into the training phase heading into the game in round eight, we'll be able to make assessments on all those guys."

The entire list will be given Saturday and Sunday off with the VFL side also scheduled with a bye.

Walsh said the players would have two light track hit-outs this week and a few indoor sessions before the weekend, which would provide a valuable freshener given the rigours of the game.

"We're seeing the intensity continue to ramp up each year and when we get an opportunity like this to have a week where there's no matches, we can treat the whole list the same in a training phase," he said.

"I think when you get to even this stage of the season, the bye is something that's very much appreciated because of the way the game is played these days.

"Most clubs from here on in will be appreciative of it from about round seven onwards."

The Magpies will regroup on Monday morning to commence preparation for their big clash with the Cats, which could present as first versus second depending on how Chris Scott's men fair against North Melbourne on Saturday.