Nakia Cockatoo will be sidelined for around a month after suffering an injury in the win over Fremantle.
"Unfortunately he's hurt his thumb," Cats coach Chris Scott revealed during his weekly Monday night segment on Fox Footy program AFL360.
"He's going to need surgery tomorrow and he's going to miss probably a few weeks - maybe four.
"He's having a little bit of a tough run.
"But one thing we do love about Nakia, he takes this stuff in his stride."
Cockatoo kicked an early contender for Goal of the Year in the victory over the Dockers.
Watch his goal by CLICKING HERE.