STAR Roo Jarrad Waite could make a remarkable return to face Port Adelaide on Saturday after missing just one match with a calf injury.

The 34-year-old was set to miss up to a month after ending the Gold Coast loss a fortnight ago with ice on his right calf. 

The full round 17 injury list: Who's out and who's a test

It was Waite's third stint on the sidelines this year after hurting the AC joint in his left shoulder in round one, when he kicked one goal from eight scoring shots in an otherwise impressive performance.

He also received a one-week suspension for a rough tackle on Adelaide's Tom Lynch in his return match in round seven. 

Waite, who is out of contract at season's end, had reinvented himself as a hard-running wingman in his last two games, racking up a combined 32 possessions and seven goals. 

Promising forward Mason Wood (calf) and defender Marley Williams (back) are also close to a return after missing one and two matches, respectively. 

All three players face fitness tests this week, as does ruckman Braydon Preuss, who sat out the second half in the VFL on Saturday with back tightness after a dominant first two quarters. 

Defenders Lachie Hansen, Sam Wright and Declan Watson and first-year forward Nick Larkey didn't play for Werribee, but could be back this weekend. 

Wright, who has had a number of setbacks since the pre-season, was a late withdrawal after two VFL matches following ankle and foot injuries.

As already reported, luckless midfielder Ben Jacobs underwent minor surgery on Monday on his troublesome right foot and faces another month on the sidelines.