MICK Malthouse's hopes of recording a first-up win against former club Collingwood have taken a massive hit with forward pair Eddie Betts and Shaun Hampson ruled out of Sunday's blockbuster at the MCG.

Betts will be sidelined for an undetermined period of time with a broken jaw, while Hampson is still recovering after having his appendix removed on Saturday night.

Betts, who will meet with a surgeon on Tuesday, suffered his injury in an accidental collision with a Richmond opponent in the first quarter of Thursday night’s season-opener at the MCG.

It is a particularly cruel blow for the Blues, who are already without their most important key forward Jarrad Waite, who is at least another week away as he recovers from a calf injury.

However, it opens the door for what would be an emotional AFL debut for Sam Rowe. The robust forward, 25, missed most of last season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, but was impressive throughout the pre-season.

Another big man option for the Blues would be to recall Robert Warnock as support for Matthew Kreuzer.

"Eddie sustained the injury early in the game, so it was a great effort in his behalf to keep playing, but he won't be playing this week and we'll be guided by the doctor," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay told carltonfc.com.au.

"Shaun felt really terrible on Saturday afternoon, saw the doctor and was diagnosed with appendicitis. He went straight into hospital and had his appendix removed.

"Obviously we'll have to replace a tall and a small in our forward line, so there are a couple of spots up for grabs."

In better news for the Blues, tough midfielder Mitch Robinson is expected to be passed fit for the clash with the Magpies after being subbed out of Thursday night’s match with concussion.

"Mitch is recovering well. He completed a stat test today and passed that, so all being well he'll play on Sunday," McKay said.