ESSENDON forward Jake Carlisle will be sidelined for more than a month after injuring his right ankle in the dying stages of Saturday's match against Hawthorn.

As Carlisle attempted to sidestep star Hawk Jarryd Roughead with just seconds to go in the match, the 23-year-old's right leg became wedged in a tackle and he felt the full brunt of Roughead's weight.

Bombers doctor Bruce Reid said Carlisle does not require surgery, although he would still miss 4-6 weeks.

"His foot got trapped and he rolled it (ankle),” Reid told the club's website.

"His actual ligaments that you'd normally strain are fine but unfortunately he’s separated the front ligaments between the tibia and the fibula – which is called the syndesmosis – so he's got a tear of the front of that. 

"We expect him to miss four to six weeks."

Carlisle's lengthy lay-off follows the likely season-ending injuries to Travis Colyer and Tom Bellchambers, who are both battling stress fractures in their feet.

Carlisle is due to fall out of contract at season's end and has had significant interest from rival clubs.

He recently told AFL.com.au he was prepared to wait until later this year before ramping up contract discussions with the Bombers.

Carlisle produced his best game of the season against the Hawks, kicking three goals from 16 disposals.