MARK McVeigh has been released from hospital after spending five nights recovering from an infection caused by a cut in his left arm.
Essendon said in a statement on Friday that the midfielder would spend the weekend resting at home.
"Mark is feeling much better which is great and he has had plenty of visitors from the club which has kept his spirits up," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said on Thursday.
"Naturally he is very disappointed about not being able to play against one of our fiercest rivals this weekend.
"Hopefully he will be back and ready to play in round four."
The midfielder had experienced soreness in his arm during last Sunday's loss to Fremantle at Etihad Stadium and was admitted to hospital that night.
It was McVeigh's first game for the season, having served a suspension in round one.
