Carlton have confirmed the devastating news that star midfielder Patrick Cripps broke his fibula in Sunday's loss to Melbourne.

Cripps will not require surgery, despite scans confirming the on-baller had sustained the fracture in a freak second-quarter incident in which Demons defender Jayden Hunt kicked Cripps in the back of the leg as Hunt tried to kick the ball.

The injury would generally lead to a six-week stint on the sidelines, but given the Blues are out of the finals race, they have accepted he won't return and will be back for the start of the pre-season.

Cripps fell to the ground and was helped off the ground by Blues trainers. He didn't return to the field in the second half, and was spotted on crutches.