Essendon will be minus captain James Hird and controversial runner John Barnes this weekend as the Bombers continue to endure a troubling start to the AFL season.

Coach Kevin Sheedy said Hird would "probably" miss Saturday night's match against Geelong with a knee injury, while the league today suspended Barnes for two matches and handed the club a suspended $5000 fine over the next 12 months for his onfield activities.

It means Sheedy will have only one runner for sending his messages during play.

Port Adelaide also received a $2500 suspended fine because of runner Brayden Lyle as the AFL cracked down on the men in fluorescent yellow, in particular staying on the field too long and acting at times as virtual on-field coaches.

As Barnes helped with training at Windy Hill, Hird was nowhere to be seen.

"He (Hird) will probably miss the game....we'll pick him and see how he (goes)," Sheedy said.

"It's a short week, we won't play him if he's not right by Saturday."

Sheedy was coy when asked about the problem with Hird's left knee, saying the Brownlow Medallist received a knock late in the win last Sunday over Hawthorn.

But fitness coach John Quinn also said earlier this week that Hird had arthritis in the joint.

"I'm not a doctor, I gave up on the medical department 25 years ago when I took (up) coaching," Sheedy said.

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