CARLTON star Dale Thomas is likely to miss only six matches after scans revealed his injured shoulder would not require surgery.

Thomas dislocated his left shoulder in a heavy tackle by Richmond's Kamdyn McIntosh in the opening minute of Thursday night's season opener.

He left the field immediately and was substituted out, cutting a forlorn figure on the bench as the Blues slumped to a 27-point loss at the MCG. 

It was feared Thomas could miss a large chunk of the season if forced to undergo surgery on his shoulder but scans revealed good news for the 27-year-old and his club.

Thomas, now in his second season at Carlton, played 20 games in his first season at the Blues but struggled to produce his best form after ankle surgery at the end of 2013. 

Meanwhile, new Blue Kristian Jaksch will miss at least the next two games after scans revealed he had sustained two broken ribs on Thursday night.

Jaksch, who joined Carlton in the off-season from Greater Western Sydney, played out the clash against the Tigers but persistent pain after the game led him to seek treatment.