After an impressive start to the season in defence, Jack Silvagni could be forced to swing forward as Carlton prepare to cover the losses of Harry McKay and Brodie Kemp.
The joy of posting their first win of the season on Saturday for the Blues was offset by a concussion to McKay and Kemp's suspected serious Achilles injury.
One-time Coleman medallist Mckay, who had missed the previous three games due to mental health issues, lasted just 17 minutes after clashing heads with West Coast's Tom Gross in the first quarter.
"He's got a nice littler shiner under his right eye," Silvagni said of McKay on Monday.
"He's been really good around the place and it was good to see him back out there.
"Disappointing for him to miss a week, but he's the ultimate professional so I'm sure he'll bounce back and be right for the following week."
But Carlton are fearing the worst for Kemp, whose left leg collapsed in the final quarter against the Eagles and will undergo scans on Monday to determine the damage to his Achilles.
A former defender, Kemp has impressed since moving forward late last year, highlighted by a career-best five-goal haul against the Western Bulldogs in round three.
"It is disappointing for Kempy, seeing him go down like that," Silvagni said.
"He'd done a mountain of work over the pre-season to put himself in the position to play some really good footy.
"We saw him get the reward for effort with five goals a couple of weeks ago.
"You never like seeing someone go down, let alone your own teammates.
"It will be difficult to cover, but I know that he'll rehab and get it right, whatever it may be."
Silvagni has been a shining light during a difficult start to the season for the Blues as they lost their first four games.
The 27-year-old missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury but has looked at home down back, the end of the ground where his father Stephen became a legend.
However, with Kemp out long-term and McKay sidelined for at least the Good Friday clash with North Melbourne, Silvagni could be forced to return to the forward line.
"I haven't been back in the club yet so I'm not sure, but I'd say it's a chance," Silvagni said.
"I've missed a bit of footy over the last few years.
"It's nice to find a role and have the trust amongst the boys and the coaching staff to be able to do that week to week."
