Kerr, 29, played 24 games for the Eagles in 2012 and underwent knee surgery at the end of the year.
Kerr is one of a number of key Eagles battling injuries as the club resumes pre-season training, with Nic Naitanui and Beau Waters also in a race to be fit for West Coast's opening home and away game against Fremantle on March 23.
Eagles football manager Neale Daniher said the club remained confident Kerr would be fit in time for round one.
"He'll just slowly build up over January, February, March," Daniher told News Limited.
"We don't think he needs to have a lot of games in the NAB (Cup) to be ready to go. Given he's such a senior player, and played 24 games last year, all his preparation will be around building up for round one AFL."
Naitanui had groin surgery in November and looks likely to miss the start of the season.
He took part in handball drills with teammates at training on Friday.
Tough defender Waters had post-season hip surgery, with the Eagles hopeful rather than confident he will be fit for round one.
Waters, 26, is a candidate to become the club's captain should Darren Glass decide to step down.
Daniher told News Limited Waters' injury record - he has missed 51 games since debuting in 2004 - would not work against his captaincy chances.
"He plays the game as hard as anyone in the league, and his injuries are well documented, but we were rapt with the way he played last year.
"He played a lot of games of football last year and we're confident he'll be ready to go in Round 1."
