GEELONG defender Tom Stewart has been cleared of significant damage to his ankle but is unlikely to feature in the club's must-win affair against Richmond.

The Cats had feared the important backman may have suffered syndesmosis damage to his left ankle after it became trapped underneath him in a tackle from Lion Rhys Mathieson in Saturday's clash at GMHBA Stadium.

AFL.com.au understands Stewart has a high ankle sprain but scan results came back positive on Monday and the Cats will see how he is moving later in the week before seeing whether he can train.

Geelong coach Chris Scott channelled his inner Monty Python on Monday night, telling Fox Footy's AFL 360 Stewart believes his injury is only a "flesh wound", but also left the door open for the defender to return the following week against Hawthorn.

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"It's certainly better than we thought, so the early diagnosis was that it was a very serious injury and he'll probably miss the rest of the year," Scott said.

"I think Tom's putting on a brave face, I think he's calling it a 'flesh wound' at the moment, I think it's a little bit more serious than that. He's pretty tough.

"I think in his mind, he hasn't ruled out this week, which I think is ridiculous, but it's nice to know there's a chance he'll come back this year."

Regardless of whether Stewart gets up for the Richmond clash, this is a much better result than previously anticipated when Scott – speaking directly after the win against the Lions – said the defender could miss at least the rest of the home and away season.

Stewart previously injured his left ankle in Geelong's round 12 win over North Melbourne, but Scott ruled out any link with his latest setback after the match on Saturday.

If Stewart is unable to play against the Tigers, the Cats could move Jack Henry – who kicked three goals against the Lions – back to defence, where he has blossomed this season.

Jackson Thurlow or Zach Guthrie are the other Cats backmen who could fill a defensive role against the Tigers' small forwards.

Should Henry be shifted back, Jordan Murdoch, Charlie Constable and Jamaine Jones are set to come into the selection frame as potential replacements through the midfield and up forward.