Young Adelaide tall Shaun McKernan has re-fractured his left arm, meaning his first AFL season is likely to be over and robbing the Crows of a useful option in attack.

McKernan, 18, first injured his arm at training following his debut match against Richmond in round 14, and had been pushing towards a return to football via the SANFL.

However he hurt his arm again at the club's main training session on Wednesday and scans revealed a break.

There is better news for another key Crow with ruckman/forward Brad Moran close to a return from a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament.

After jarring his knee against Sydney in round 13, Moran underwent surgery to install an artificial ligament, which will dissolve with time once the original has healed fully.

"Instead of grafting a piece of quad or hamstring, which after 12 weeks can put you in contention for a strain or a tear because the muscle is weak, the surgeons use an artificial ligament which attaches to the bone and is rock-solid straight away," Moran told the club's website.

"The artificial ligament dissolves over the course of four-six years apparently but the artificial ligaments have only been around two years so they dont actually know for sure yet.

"I was a bit of a guinea pig, but I'm an aggressive person by nature. I was desperate to get back, so when the surgeon offered the procedure to me I said: yes, give me the quickest option."

Moran had been making his presence felt in the ruck prior to his injury, and he looms as a decidedly handy addition to the Crows' list of selection options in September.

He will return to full training next week with a view to being considered for week one of the finals series.

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