KOBY Stevens has failed to recover from the whiplash he suffered in the Western Bulldogs' loss to North Melbourne last Sunday and won't face Richmond on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.
However, key position player Tom Williams will play in his first senior game since round 10 last year.
Stevens came off late in the game against the Kangaroos after landing heavily in a tackle.
He was named in the line-up on Thursday night but was withdrawn on Friday and replaced by Williams, with Brett Goodes added to the emergency list.
Stevens was ruled out by the club's medical staff after being monitored throughout the week.
Williams played in the Bulldogs' NAB Challenge loss to Fremantle on February 26 but hasn't appeared in round one or two.
A dislocated shoulder cut his 2013 season off after he was injured against Port Adelaide in Darwin.
Williams has managed five senior games in two seasons and has been largely limited by injuries to his shoulder, adductor and foot.
