Waite, sidelined since having hip surgery after the Blues' round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, had been slated to make his comeback via the VFL this weekend.
But Carlton coach Brett Ratten said that was now unlikely to happen, meaning the club would weigh up whether the 28 year-old could face the Saints in nine days' time.
"Jarrad has been pretty good," Ratten said before training at Visy Park on Thursday morning.
"He probably won't play this week, but he'll probably go close to playing against St Kilda.
"It's whether we take that risk at senior level or play him at VFL and get him through, and really manage his game time from that point of view.
"Or, do we take the big punt and put him straight in?"
Ratten faced a similar decision on Michael Jamison last week and chose to bring the key defender straight into the senior line-up to face Hawthorn.
The 25 year-old started in his customary defensive role before switching forward, where he took several marks and kicked the first goal of his 69-game career as the Blues mounted a second-half surge.
"I thought his (Jamison's) form, to do what he did last week, just shows his quality," Ratten said.
"To come out and nearly change the game for us as a forward, not even in his prime position, I thought was outstanding."
The Blues coach said Jamison would play 60 to 70 per cent of game time with the Northern Bullants this week to "get a bit more touch".
He faces a likely match-up with Casey Scorpions full forward and former teammate Brendan Fevola.
Almost certain to finish fifth, Carlton's senior team has a bye in round 23 before the final round meeting with St Kilda.
Ratten said the players would have a solid hit-out on Saturday and then prepare as normal for the Saints clash next week.
He predicted Irish big man Setanta O'hAilpin would push hard for senior selection after booting six goals for the Bullants last weekend, while ruckman Shaun Hampson was also getting close after playing 50 per cent of the match and kicking three goals in his comeback from an eight-week knee injury.
