North Melbourne will be without Ed Vickers-Willis for up to eight weeks with the young defender injuring his PCL against Richmond.

The 21-year-old fell on his knee and the Round 11 encounter at Etihad Stadium and is required to wear a brace for the next three weeks.

“No surgical intervention is needed but we anticipate a stint on the sidelines of between six to eight weeks,” North’s senior performance consultant Steve Saunders told NMFC.com.au.

Vickers-Willis made his debut in Round 5 against Fremantle and played seven consecutive games averaging 14 disposals.

Meanwhile Saunders said Sam Wright is still progressing slowly from his foot injury and will need more time before he’s able to play.

“Sam is training now and responded well to his last procedure but the rate of progression in the last fortnight suggests he still needs a few more weeks of rehabilitation and strength work,” Saunders said.

Ben Jacobs is facing a similar time frame on the sidelines and his load has been reduced after a knock to the lower leg in the VFL.

“Ben had played two full games in the VFL and was tracking nicely. He sustained a severe contusion to a tendon in his lower leg in the third game,” Saunders explained.

“This pain is unrelated to his stress fracture but something we need to manage conservatively given that it is a contusion to the same leg and an associated weakness that may change his gait.”

In better news, Corey Wagner and Jy Simpkin are edging closer to their respective returns.

Ben Jacobs (lower leg) 2 weeks

Sam Wright (ankle/foot) – 2-3 weeks

Corey Wagner (ankle) – 1-2 weeks

Ben McKay (hip/groin) – 2 weeks

Jy Simpkin (AC joint) – 2-3 weeks

Ed Vickers-Willis (PCL) – 6-8 weeks

Oscar Junker (tibia) – TBC

Paul Ahern (knee) – season*

* Long term injury list

Last updated: June 13