RICHMOND vice-captain Brett Deledio has been cleared of major damage after suffering a minor calf strain against Essendon on Saturday.

Deledio underwent scans on Monday after sitting out the second half against the Bombers with tightness in his right calf.

He could be available for Sunday's clash against Hawthorn at the MCG, with the Tigers to assess his progress up to Friday when their final 22 will need to be lodged.

Deledio starred in the first half at the MCG on Saturday with 19 possessions, but reported tightness during the half-time break, prompting a conservative approach from the Tigers. 

The 29-year-old suffered a lingering calf injury during the pre-season and missed the first five matches because of a quad problem.   

"It was only tightness, there was no incident as such," coach Damien Hardwick said after Saturday's win.

"He just pulled up tight at the half-time break … so we wrapped him up."