Gun midfielder Zach Merrett will require surgery after suffering a high syndesmosis injury against Brisbane, in a hammer blow to Essendon's AFL campaign.
Merrett limped off in the dying moments of Saturday's loss to the Lions at Marvel Stadium, just minutes after youngster Nik Cox was helped from the field with an ankle injury.
But Merrett will be sidelined for up to two months while Cox is touch-and-go to face Melbourne on Friday.
"Zach and Nik had scans this morning and have both suffered ankle injuries, with Zach expected to have a longer stint on the sidelines," Essendon football boss Josh Mahoney said.
"We will look at surgery as an option for Zach but it is likely he will miss around six to eight weeks.
"Nik's injury isn't as severe so we will assess his recovery this week and give him the best chance to get up for our match against Melbourne."
Merrett, 26, is the Bombers' reigning best and fairest winner and was an All-Australian in 2021.
His injury is a huge blow for Essendon, who are 0-2 heading into their clash with the reigning premiers.
