ESSENDON defender Michael Hibberd has had scans on his injured hamstring and is hopeful the start of his season won't be delayed.
He sustained the injury just before half time in the Bombers’ 25-point loss to Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
"Hopefully it'll only be two to three weeks and I'll be back for round one," he told reporters outside the scanning centre at Olympic Park on Wednesday.
"I just felt a bit of tightness ... chasing someone, so I just went off. You know a NAB (Challenge) game there's no point staying on. Get a scan now and see how it is."
"See what happens, hopefully back and contribute round one."
Hibberd said he felt no issues with his hamstring going into the game.
The 24-year-old has a history of soft tissue injuries, including a tear in the 2012 Anzac Day game.
Hibberd is Essendon's top ranked defender in the Official AFL Player Ratings, coming in at position 100 overall.
