ADELAIDE is prepared for the prospect of ruckman Sam Jacobs missing Friday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval for the birth of his first child.

Jacobs' wife Izzy is due this week, with back-up big man Reilly O'Brien on standby for his third AFL game, and first since 2016.

"If Izzy goes into labour, he'll be there, and it's a pretty common thing these days to put family ahead of one game of footy," Crows defender Daniel Talia told reporters on Monday.

"It will be their first child and a pretty special moment for (Jacobs), so if it happens to fall on Friday night, we've got a back-up in Reilly O'Brien, who is a really good ruckman.

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"If Sauce happens to not be available, we've got a like-for-like replacement ready to go."

The 202cm, 101kg O'Brien hasn't had many opportunities behind the durable Jacobs.

The 22-year-old debuted in the Crows' round 20 win in 2016 against Brisbane, and took on Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands the following week while Jacobs was injured.

Jacobs suffered a back spasm in last Saturday night's epic five-point Showdown loss to Port Adelaide, but played out the game.

Skipper Taylor Walker will be assessed this week for a glute injury, while the Crows could regain key defender Kyle Hartigan from a hamstring injury.

Walker had treatment in the second quarter of the Showdown before returning and booting a massive 60m goal late in the game.

"Judging from the end of the game, kicking that 60m goal, it can't be too bad," Walker said.

"I don't think it was another hamstring, he just had a bit of tightness through that glute.

"He played out the game and should be alright."

The game against the Bulldogs will be the Crows' last of four straight at Adelaide Oval.

They started with wins against Gold Coast and Carlton before Steven Motlop's goal with 21 seconds on the clock consigned them to their first Showdown loss in three years.

"In that four-game stretch, we set ourselves to win at least three, so this week's going to be a really important game," Talia said.

"The competition is so even and everyone is sitting on 5-3 or 4-4.

"We've had some really good battles with the Bulldogs over the years and they look like they've got their pressure and contested-style of game going again this year, so we're looking forward to Friday night."