WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is bracing himself for more bad news, fearing speedster Jason Johannisen has damaged a hamstring tendon that could require a long stint on the sidelines.

Still reeling from skipper Bob Murphy's season-ending knee injury, the Dogs must now recast their defence following the loss of fellow playmaker Johannisen during their 36-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The speedster, who had been in All Australian form, limped from the field clutching his right leg after kicking a goal from 55 metres in the third quarter.

Hurt Dogs just bite harder

Compounding matters, young forward Tom Boyd hurt his right shoulder in a last-quarter ruck contest while Matt Suckling rolled his right ankle in the third term but, following intensive treatment in the rooms, returned to play out the match.

However, Beveridge expects both to be passed fit for next week's clash with the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.

But Johannisen is another story.

"It's hard to know," Beveridge said when asked about Johannisen's injury.

"It's probably not going to be a two-weeker. We'll obviously have a scan and access the extent of the damage and we'll be conservative with him. He's a valuable member of our group and we'll play the longer game with him.

"We're not too sure if it's the tendon or the belly."

The Dogs coach lamented at the cruel luck the club had suffered over the past week.

"I think someone ran over a black cat, unfortunately," he said.

"It seems like our high defenders are going out in sympathy (with each another).

"We lost Josh Prudden at VFL level today – he needs a (knee) reconstruction as well, and he's been going terrifically well. It's disappointing."

WATCH: Luke Beveridge's full post-match press conference

The Bulldogs appear well placed to absorb the losses of Murphy and Johannisen, given vice-captain and energetic defender Easton Wood – who will presumably become acting captain – is expected to return next week from a hamstring injury, and ex-Lion Jed Adcock spent time back there in his first game for the club.

"We've schooled our players up in lots of roles and that's one of them," Beveridge said of the injury-hit half-back role.

"We played quite a few of our inside mids through there during the NAB (Challenge) to prepare them for the possibility … so we feel like we've got some boys ready to play the role, but the boys we've lost are first preference in 'Murph' and 'JJ'.

"We'll need our incumbents to pick up the speed and perform a really important role that we value in our team."

Beveridge revealed Murphy would make a decision early this week on when he would undergo reconstructive surgery to his knee, but would be given "all the time in the world" to determine his playing future.