Carlton star Jarrad Waite will meet with a specialist on Monday to determine whether he needs a full knee reconstruction, which would end his AFL season.

Scans on Sunday showed that Waite, who hyper extended his left knee against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, had partially torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

While it was not as severe as a full ACL rupture, Blues football manager Steven Icke said it would need specialist consultation to determine whether a reconstruction would still be needed.

"We're not sure what the recommendation will be," Icke said.

"It could be a conservative rehab approach where he is placed in a brace for six weeks and it is allowed to recover.

"He might have arthroscopic surgery to assess the damage to the other parts of the knee, or they might recommend that he has a full knee reconstruction.

"It's not as bad as a full ACL rupture but the prognosis may still be a knee reconstruction."

Along with the ACL tear, there is also bone bruising and damage to the meniscus.

If the more conservative approach is decided on, Waite might still be able to return to playing later this season.

In other injury news, Geelong half-forward Paul Chapman is likely to miss next Sunday's clash with Essendon after having surgery on a finger dislocated in Friday night's win over the Western Bulldogs.

Forward Ryan Gamble will be assessed after being concussed in the Bulldogs match.

But the Cats will regain key forward Cameron Mooney from suspension and veteran defender Darren Milburn is likely to return from an ankle injury.

The Bulldogs are confident midfielder Shaun Higgins and play-making defender Lindsay Gilbee will both play against Sydney in Canberra on Saturday.

Higgins, who was returning from an adductor injury, looked sore late in the game, while Gilbee copped a leg injury early, but football manager James Fantasia said both were minor and they were both likely to play against the Swans.

Essendon running player Courtenay Dempsey sprained his ankle in Saturday night's win over Richmond.

Coach Matthew Knights said it was diagnosed as only a mild sprain.

But he said the club was likely to take a cautious approach given several players with ankle injuries had taken longer to heal than expected already this season, which could mean Dempsey misses the Cats' clash.

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