ESSENDON'S injury crisis deepened last night, with Kyle Reimers becoming the 21st soft-tissue victim since high-performance fitness guru Dean ''The Weapon'' Robinson took over the club's training program in the preseason.

Hours after coach James Hird defended the program - aimed at making the side bigger, stronger and more competitive at the end of games - football manager Paul Hamilton confirmed Reimers had suffered a ''low-grade strain'' to his hamstring that will sideline him for about two weeks.

Kyle Reimers at Essendon training this week. Credit:Sebastian Costanzo

''It's really at the lower end of the scale … it's not a tear, it's a low-grade strain,'' Hamilton said.

''The point Hirdy has made is we have pushed them a little bit harder over the course of the pre-season and I suppose there is a penalty to pay at some stage.