Essendon ruckman Patrick Ryder is expected to miss up to three weeks of football after injuring the muscle behind his knee during Sunday’s clash with St Kilda.

 

Football operations manager Paul Hamilton said the club was relieved the MRI scans revealed Ryder would not require surgery.

 

“There was some concern that Paddy had sustained ligament damage so we are happy to learn his injury isn’t anything more serious,” Hamilton said.

 

“Unfortunately he will miss at least a couple of weeks as the muscle behind his knee heals which is obviously a blow for the side.”

 

MRI tests today also confirmed that Courtenay Dempsey has suffered a hamstring strain and will miss two weeks.

 

Veteran Dustin Fletcher has been cleared of serious damage to his hamstring but remains in doubt for this weekend’s clash with Fremantle.

 

Bachar Houli has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tests today confirmed he has a fractured fibula.
 
To see Essendon's full injury list click here.