Essendon have suffered a major AFL injury blow, with captain Jobe Watson ruled out for at least two weeks.

Watson was diagnosed on Monday with a grade-one hamstring strain after he came off in the second term of Saturday night's win over Brisbane at the `Gabba.

The Bombers were hopeful their No.1 midfielder might still come up for Saturday night's Dreamtime At The `G clash against Richmond.

But Watson could still be out of the side for the round-11 game against Melbourne, which follows Essendon's bye.

"Very disappointing news, we were hoping it was just back related but the scans show a grade-one hamstring strain," Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said on the club's website.

"He will definitely miss this week, then we have the bye and he'll be touch and go for the Melbourne game so we'll have to wait and see."

Watson had been in career-best form this year and was among the favourites for the Brownlow Medal.

Essendon are third with five wins and a draw from eight matches, but their depth is starting to become an issue as the injury tally climbs.

Tall utility Michael Hurley was a late withdrawal from the Lions match with a quad injury and is in doubt for this weekend.

Midfielder Heath Hocking seems certain to face suspension for elbowing James Polkinghorne on Saturday night.

Jason Winderlich and Courtenay Dempsey are out for the year with knee reconstructions.

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