Tippett was ruled out for at least two weeks after undergoing knee surgery earlier this week.
But with Lance Franklin avoiding any sanction for a bump last weekend, Carlile and his fellow defenders will undoubtedly still have their hands full.
Franklin has managed 12 goals in his last three games, while Sam Reid kicked three last weekend and Adam Goodes nailed three in the club's demolition of Geelong in round 11.
Carlile was quick to pour cold water on any belief that the Swans were vulnerable without Tippett in attack.
"It doesn't really make the rest any easier," he said.
"It's daunting across the board, we've got unbelievable individual match ups across the board … their midfield's really strong with (Dan) Hannebery and guys like that.
"There's been a lot made of their key forwards but whether one or two of them are in the team or not it doesn't really matter, whoever they bring in just plays a role.
"What they did to Geelong a couple of weeks ago and how they've been playing over the last six or seven weeks has been unbelievable.
"They're probably the benchmark at the moment, obviously other teams are up there as well but we look at what they do and we try and follow."
Having matched up on Franklin almost exclusively in the past, Carlile was unsure whether he'd be assigned the star again on Saturday.
He said it didn't really matter - what would count would be the way the Power defended as a unit, not as individuals.
There's no underestimating Franklin's ability to singlehandedly destroy a team and Carlile said the 27-year-old had "gotten quicker, somehow" since crossing from Hawthorn.
"Whether he plays up the ground or deeper, whether I've got him or whether Jack Hombsch gets another crack at him or 'Jacko' (Jackson Trengove), it doesn't really matter.
"We think our team defence is what we really rely on down back and hopefully the guys get the job done up the ground."
Port could be boosted by the return of several key players for Saturday's clash, including captain Travis Boak.
Boak (ankle), Matt White (foot) and Angus Monfries (ankle) all sat out last weekend's 70-point win over St Kilda, while Jared Polec (ankle) and Aaron Young (AC joint) suffered minor injuries in the victory.
The skipper, White and Monfries trained on Wednesday morning and although Polec rested, his ankle injury was thought to be far less severe than Boak's suggesting he should be available for selection.
Those that trained did so on an oval marked to the same proportions as the SCG in an attempt to familiarise themselves with the unique dimensions of the Swans' home.
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
