ESSENDON defender Jordan Ridley is progressing better than expected after suffering concussion as a result of the incident that led to Junior Rioli's two-match striking ban.

The Bombers initially thought Ridley would miss "multiple weeks" after he was substituted out of last week's narrow defeat to the Power following the off-the-ball hit.

Rioli was sent directly to the Tribunal over the incident and was suspended for two matches on Wednesday night.

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Ridley left sore after Rioli incident

Dons defender Jordan Ridley leaves the field after receiving contact from Junior Rioli in this clash

Published on May 7, 2023

Ridley resumed running on Thursday, sparking hope the Bombers' 2020 best and fairest winner could return to action soon after he misses Saturday night's clash with Brisbane.

"He's doing a really solid running session, which is a surprise to me, but he's recovered really well," Bombers coach Brad Scott told reporters on Thursday.

"The (concussion) protocols are what they are but that's a huge positive for us that even though he'll be unavailable this week, he looks in really good shape.

"He's progressed much quicker than we thought he would a couple of days ago."

Scott was not concerned about the length of Rioli's two-match ban, which he said doesn't impact Essendon.

But he was bemused by Rioli's Tribunal defence team suggesting Ridley had run into the Port Adelaide forward's hand.

"The defence team put up whatever argument is going to be best," Scott said.

"But it's a bit like (former heavyweight boxer) Frank Bruno arguing that he ran into Mike Tyson's fist - it doesn't make a lot of sense."

Jordan Ridley lays on the ground during Essendon's match against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in round eight, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ridley's absence is a huge blow to Essendon's key defensive stocks, with Jayden Laverde (shoulder), James Stewart (foot) and Zach Reid (hamstring) also unavailable.

Scott said he will have to restructure his undersized line-up in an attempt to blunt Brisbane tall forwards Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher at the Gabba.

Reid, 21, had been close to an AFL recall before sustaining a hamstring injury in the VFL last week.

It will sideline the promising 205cm prospect for six weeks.

"We're bitterly disappointed with his hamstring injury but he's never had a hamstring before," Scott said.

Zach Reid looks on during the R1 VFLW match between Essendon and Box Hill at The Hangar on March 26, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

"It's something that's new and it's frustrating to all of us but no one's more frustrated than Zach himself.

"But in the context of his entire career, this will just be a very small blip on the radar."

In better news last year's best and fairest winner and leading goalkicker Peter Wright is progressing well after shoulder surgery as he eyes a return in the second half of the season.

"I've seen a lot of really professional players over the journey and he's right up there with the best of them," Scott said.

"He's been fantastic in rehab and he's ahead of schedule.

"That doesn't mean that we'll bring him back ahead of schedule but he's pushing really hard and progressing really well."