North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey doesn't require surgery on the thumb injury Sportal revealed on Tuesday but he remains in doubt for Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Already reeling following last Sunday's demoralising 117-point loss to reigning premiers the Magpies, the Kangaroos can ill-afford to lose their games record-holder.
But Harvey, who has now played 316 matches since his debut in 1996, reinjured the thumb that he first hurt two years ago, dislodging a bone fragment in the latest mishap.
On Anzac Day in 2009 Harvey dislocated his elbow in a tackle from Richmond's Daniel Jackson, forcing him to miss seven games, but he also hurt his left thumb in the same incident.
Sportal revealed on Tuesday that the Kangaroos held fears Harvey had suffered a fracture, with the club confirming he was to undergo scans as he was having trouble moving his thumb.
The Kangaroos desperately need to bounce back from successive losses when they face the Dogs if they are to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Harvey had an uncharacteristically poor game against the Magpies, gathering just 12 touches and booting two goals as he was well held by second-gamer Luke Rounds.