Geelong defender Tom Stewart looks "very unlikely" to face Richmond as coach Chris Scott weighs up a number of replacements.
Stewart joined the rehabilitation group in training on Wednesday, just four days after he appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury against Brisbane.
Scott refused to completely put a line through Stewart's name ahead of the Tigers blockbuster on Friday night but conceded he's looking at various options.
"I appreciate his optimism but the feedback to me is he's unlikely," Scott said on Wednesday.
"We'll give him every chance, but I think the moral of the story is what looked like a very serious injury isn't so much.
"Until he (Stewart) starts changing direction and starts football-type movement it's a bit hard to say (when he'll be back).
"We do have a few options that we're working through.
"It's been observed we played Joel Selwood back a little bit and that's an option we have up our sleeve, it'll look a little bit different."
Scott flagged the potential for Zach Guthrie, Mark O'Connor and Jackson Thurlow as options in the back half, should emerging rookie Jack Henry continue his stint as a forward.
If Henry is moved back, Scott suggested James Parsons, Jamaine Jones, Jordan Murdoch, Ryan Abbott would be in the frame.
Dual All Australian Harry Taylor ramped up his return from a tendon complaint in his left foot, running and completing ball work away from the main group.
He was joined by Esava Ratugolea who completed his biggest session to date on the comeback trail from a broken ankle against Carlton in round 10.
Lincoln McCarthy (hamstring) and Stewart Crameri (groin) look set to be sidelined for at least one more week as their injuries persist.
More to come
Cats weigh up replacements
Chris Scott is weighing up multiple options to replace Tom Stewart against Richmond