Promising young Bomber suffers another setback, injury confirmed – AFL News

Essendon’s key defensive depth has been dealt another blow in 2024, with 22-year-old Zach Reid leaving the field in the VFL with a “probable torn pectoral muscle” on Sunday.

The accident happened during Essendon’s 72-point loss to Box Hill, with the club revealing on social media that it would not take part in the game.

If Reid were to undergo surgery this week, he could miss up to 10 weeks of football, making it difficult for him to return in the 2024 season.

It adds to a growing injury history for the 202cm full-back, who was ruled out with a hamstring strain earlier this season, having managed just nine games at the highest level so far in his career four years.

He underwent surgery last year after a number of concerns and also suffered a stress fracture in his back during his first year at the club, an injury which unfortunately recurred last year ahead of the 2023 season.

The off-season signing of Ben McKay has proved critical to the Bombers’ success so far in 2024, given their lack of depth behind him with this glaring injury concern.

For now, with the Bombers second on the ladder, hope rests on McKay and his ability to stay on track while the club’s key defensive depth is recovered and strengthened.