The No.5 pick in last year’s NAB AFL National Draft, was injured during a kicking drill during the warm up at training on Thursday morning.
He is certain to miss his team’s clash with Fremantle at Docklands on Sunday and could be out of action for several weeks.
The Bombers recently had another injury setback with another high draft pick, Scott Gumbleton, being ruled out for the first half of the season with an injured back.
Hurley made his debut last week against Port Adelaide and did a terrific job on premiership skipper Warren Tredrea.
On the club’s website, Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said the 19-year-old had plenty of promise and would be back.
“While this is disappointing for Michael and our supporters, we were all encouraged by his debut last week and, since this is just the start of the season, we will still see plenty of him during 2009,” Hamilton told essendonfc.com.au.
“This is the first soft-tissue injury we have had for the year and these sorts of injuries can occur in young players.
“The positive is that young Darcy Daniher has been playing well and now gets the opportunity to come into the squad as a tall option down back.”
Hamilton said players often took up to four weeks to recover from a quadriceps injury.
