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Kreuzer succumbed to what is believed to be a foot injury sustained early in his team's elimination final win over Richmond.
He has been replaced by young key forward Levi Casboult, who will provide ruck support for Robert Warnock.
Carlton's director of coaching Rob Wiley refused to be more specific about Kreuzer's injury than describing it as a "lower limb" problem.
He revealed Kreuzer had failed a fitness test before the Blues' final training session at Visy Park on Friday morning.
"He's been a fantastic footballer for the Carlton footy club. Unfortunately he's he out, but (it) opens the door for someone else," Wiley said.
"Mick's always had the philosophy that you take fit players into finals, and that's the way we're going."
Asked about speculation that Kreuzer had undergone a minor operation early in the week, Wiley said: "I'm unaware of that."
Wiley expects Kreuzer to be in contention for a return if the Blues defeat the Swans and progress to a preliminary final against Fremantle in Perth.
The loss of Kreuzer is significant, given Warnock and Casboult will confront the more experienced, premiership pairing of Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke.
But Wiley has faith in the Blues' recast ruck division.
Mick Malthouse and Levi Casboult see the funny side of Carlton training on Friday morning. Picture: AFL Media
"They’re certainly big units, but Robbie Warnock's led the ruck wonderfully well in the last three or four weeks, so we go in with great belief that he can carry [the] ruck duties," he said.
Fellow big man Sam Rowe has been elevated to the Blues' list of emergencies, along with midfielders Brock McLean and David Ellard.
Hard-nut McLean has missed the past two games with a quad injury, and was a late withdrawal against the Tigers, but could still come into the side.
Asked what went against McLean at the selection table, Wiley said: "He's got to make sure he's OK, but we know what Brock's value is to the team. We'll just see what happens."
Wiley said superstar Chris Judd, who was superb in his first game back after missing three games with knee injury, had recovered well and the Blues were "looking for another Chris Judd finals performance."
Swans champion Adam Goodes has been ruled out for the rest of the finals with a knee injury. Wiley said the Blues had prepared to play against a Swans side containing Goodes, but added they were still "a very good side" without him.
"The reigning premiers … always find something extra, so we're going [in]with great expectations that they'll bounce back. There's been a lot said about them, so we have to play at our best to compete against them," he said.
Wiley dismissed a suggestion the Blues had nothing to lose.
"No, a lot to lose, because we're in the eight and we want to make sure we gain respect.
"The boys, last week, the belief they showed in each other to bounce back in the second half against a very good Richmond side just gave our supporters and members that respect where 'We're in there'. So we've got a lot to lose," he said.
Twitter: @AFL_BenCollins
Mick Malthouse and Levi Casboult see the funny side of Carlton training on Friday morning. Picture: AFL Media
"They’re certainly big units, but Robbie Warnock's led the ruck wonderfully well in the last three or four weeks, so we go in with great belief that he can carry [the] ruck duties," he said.
Fellow big man Sam Rowe has been elevated to the Blues' list of emergencies, along with midfielders Brock McLean and David Ellard.
Hard-nut McLean has missed the past two games with a quad injury, and was a late withdrawal against the Tigers, but could still come into the side.
Asked what went against McLean at the selection table, Wiley said: "He's got to make sure he's OK, but we know what Brock's value is to the team. We'll just see what happens."
Wiley said superstar Chris Judd, who was superb in his first game back after missing three games with knee injury, had recovered well and the Blues were "looking for another Chris Judd finals performance."
Swans champion Adam Goodes has been ruled out for the rest of the finals with a knee injury. Wiley said the Blues had prepared to play against a Swans side containing Goodes, but added they were still "a very good side" without him.
"The reigning premiers … always find something extra, so we're going [in]with great expectations that they'll bounce back. There's been a lot said about them, so we have to play at our best to compete against them," he said.
Wiley dismissed a suggestion the Blues had nothing to lose.
"No, a lot to lose, because we're in the eight and we want to make sure we gain respect.
"The boys, last week, the belief they showed in each other to bounce back in the second half against a very good Richmond side just gave our supporters and members that respect where 'We're in there'. So we've got a lot to lose," he said.
Twitter: @AFL_BenCollins
