ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker is in doubt for the Crows' round seven clash with Carlton after spending the second half of Saturday night’s win against Gold Coast on the bench due to "hamstring awareness".
Small forward Eddie Betts should return from his own hamstring injury to face his former club, while Rory Sloane is likely to be fit but Pyke is unsure if his vice-captain will be risked.
Walker didn't play after half-time with the Crows leading by 45 points at the main break.
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"That was probably my decision," Pyke said.
"The medical staff spoke to me at half-time and said he was a bit tight, and for me, it was take no risk with him.
"We'll scan that and see how that comes up."
Walker kicked two first-half goals against the Suns, following on from his good form in the round five win in Sydney.
Pyke said he was "really confident" Sloane would be available for next Saturday night's clash with the winless Blues at Adelaide Oval, however, he would prefer the star midfielder is completely over the injury before returning, to lessen the risk of hurting it again.
Even with their bulging injury list, the 4-2 Crows will be hot favourites against the rebuilding Carlton, but they would love to have Sloane back for the following week's Showdown with Port Adelaide in round eight.
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"Now we've taken the opportunity to rest him and let him recover, I think it'd be foolish to rush him back," Pyke said.
"I think it's important he comes back when he's ready and completely over that injury, and not rush him back and then find we're still managing that issue in three or four or five weeks.
"It's the right thing to do by him and to do by the team, to get him 100 per cent right so he can play at the level he's capable of for the remainder of the year."
Taylor Walker in the rooms after Saturday night's win. Picture: AFL Photos
Sloane injured his foot in the Grand Final rematch with Richmond in round two.
He was below his best in the next two games before being ruled out for last Friday night's win against Sydney at the SCG.
Sloane also missed Saturday night's 48-point win against Gold Coast.
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"It's progressing really well and he's really positive about it," Pyke said.
"We're really confident he will be available next week, but I've got to see him train Monday and Wednesday and see how he's moving and get him right so he can play the level we know he's capable of."
Midfielder David Mackay also failed to finish the game with soreness in his hip and glute.
