Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade admitted on Monday night that Lake is struggling for confidence, and may be dropped to the club's VFL affiliate Williamstown to find form.
"He's got a bit of worry about his knee," Eade told Fox Sports' On the Couch program.
"So we've got to make a decision about what's best for Brian and for the football team.
"Is it best for Brian to go back to Williamstown until he gets that confidence?"
Lake endured a nightmare off-season, undergoing shoulder, hip and knee surgery.
The All-Australian defender missed the first two matches of the season and has struggled for form and match fitness since returning.
Eade said Lake cost his team goals during the loss to Collingwood on Sunday by not taking enough responsibility for his direct opponent.
"At times he does zone off, and it hurt us a little bit on the weekend," the veteran coach said.
"It cost us a couple of goals."
The Bulldogs sit 11th on the ladder with two wins and three losses, and face the Sydney Swans in Canberra on Saturday.
