Carlton key forward Jarrad Waite could miss the Blues' opening-round blockbuster against Richmond with a calf complaint.

Waite played just 11 games last season because of back problems, and the 30-year-old has averaged just 12 games per season over the past four years.

"I'm starting to think not," coach Mick Malthouse on Wednesday said when asked of Waite's chances to play in the opening round.

"I'm not convinced he isn't. He's line-ball."

The Blues will already be without reigning best and fairest Heath Scotland for the opening two rounds of the home-and-away season because of a club-imposed suspension.

Malthouse said youngster Andrew McInnes (knee) is the only other Blue expected to miss the start of the season through injury.

Chris Judd, Matthew Kreuzer and Scotland all skipped Carlton's opening-round NAB Cup games last weekend, but all three trained on Wednesday.

Malthouse was unsure which of them would play on Saturday night against Fremantle, but wasn't too concerned.

"They don't have to do a lot," he said.

"I don't believe you have to play practice matches. It's for young kids.

"They've got nothing to prove."