Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson says his latest injury setback is separate from his achilles troubles and is confident it won't cost him any time on the AFL sidelines.

Johnson hurt his ankle late in Friday night's loss to Hawthorn, which prompted fears he had suffered a recurrence of the achilles problem that had troubled him this season.

But the 33-year-old said the injury was "totally" separate from the achilles problem and he expected to play Carlton in round 15.

"I copped a nice little tackle from (Hawthorn's) Cyril Rioli and it got caught under me a little bit," Johnson told the Seven Network on Sunday.

"I'm hopeful I'll be all right, we've got a nine-day break, I just tweaked it a little but and I'm sure it will pull up OK.

"I wouldn't say I'd miss anything ... we've got a big break and plenty of time up my sleeve to get things right."

Johnson, who has experienced the most injury-affected season of his long career, said the achilles tendon had improved from earlier this year, although it still caused pain.

"My achilles doesn't feel too bad at the moment," he said.

"It's a little bit tender, as it will be for the rest of my career.

"It's just the ankle, a little bit of a tweak, which doesn't help."

The Bulldogs' defeat to the Hawks jeopardised their chances of finishing in the top four.

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