McVeigh spent five nights in hospital last week with an infection that stemmed from a cut on his arm.
But the Bombers will regain young gun Michael Hurley, who is expected to line up in the forward line after serving a club-imposed sanction.
Assistant coach Ashley Prescott said it was too much of a risk to take McVeigh straight back into AFL level.
"His elbow isn't too bad, it's just more the fact he needs to play some football and get some touch in," Prescott said on Thursday as the team prepared to leave Melbourne for Perth.
"It's affected his preparation a bit too much to select him this week."
Prescott said Hurley's presence would give the Bombers options in front of goal.
"We're not expecting a hell of a lot out of Michael other than that he competes and does his best," he said.
"Certainly to have him as a long option down forward will be good for us.
"[Forward] is where he's been doing a lot of his playing through the pre-season and back at the Bendigo Bombers, so he's an option to use down there."
Prescott indicated there would not be many changes to the side but a final decision would be made upon arrival in Perth according to the weather.
Youngsters Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer are likely to hold their spots, but Brent Prismall will not be considered and has not made the trip to Perth.
Alwyn Davey, who was dropped last week with Prismall, will travel with the team but is no certainty to play.
The Bombers last played the Eagles at Subiaco in the opening game of the NAB Cup and were fell to a 35-point defeat.
This time around, they will be strengthened by the inclusion of ruck pair David Hille and Paddy Ryder, who both missed the pre-season encounter.
"It's really exciting to have [Dean] Cox, Nic Naitanui and Hille and Ryder in for a real mouth-watering battle. Whoever comes out on top in that area I think will play a real key in who wins the game," Prescott said.
"They're going to be really hungry and desperate, West Coast. They're super competitive; things haven't quite worked out how they would have liked.
"To take them lightly would be the worst thing you could do. It's at home, Friday night … they're going to be really hard to beat.
"It's a massive game. Last week against Carlton was a positive step but to go over and lose to West Coast would really cancel that out."
