Matthew Kreuzer’s period out of the game with a fractured thumb has been scaled back to 3-4 weeks, not 7-8 as originally feared.

Carlton General Manager - Football Operations Andrew McKay said Kreuzer’s return would be sooner rather than later, based on the success of the surgery in which a plate was inserted into the ruckman’s thumb.

“He (Kreuzer) will be probably missing for three to four weeks, not seven or eight, because they were able to stabilize that bone really well,” McKay said.

Kreuzer suffered the break after landing awkwardly in the opening quarter of Saturday night’s match against Geelong at Etihad Stadium. Another casualty was Marcus Davies, who suffered a grade 1 hamstring strain likely to sideline him for the next two matches.

McKay added that Eddie Betts, who suffered a broken jaw in the opening round Richmond game at the MCG, was a possible starter for the fifth round Adelaide contest, while Jarrad Waite was also a chance to resume in a week after overcoming a calf injury.

Meanwhile, 2012 draftee Nicholas Graham, who suffered a knee injury in the course of the Nab Cup pre-season competition, has been placed on the long-term injury list, joining Andrew McInnes.

With Tom Bell already elevated in McInnes’ absence, and Rhys O’Keeffe also out for the long-term with a foot problem, fellow rookies Jaryd Cachia, Andrew Collins and Frazer Dale are all eligible for elevation to the senior list in Graham’s absence.

But McKay stressed the club would not be hasty in making the call.

INJURY UPDATE

Eddie Betts
Jaw 
1-2 weeks

Marcus Davies
Hamstring 
1-2 weeks

Nick Graham
Knee 
7-8 weeks

Matthew Kreuzer
Thumb 
3-4 weeks

Andrew McInnes
Knee 
7-8 weeks

Rhys O’Keeffe
Foot
Indefinite

Jarrad Waite
Calf 
1-2 weeks