Richmond looks set to enter its clash with Fremantle on Sunday without star midfielder Dion Prestia, who is battling a hamstring complaint.
The Tigers had said the former Gold Coast Sun was a "50-50" chance to return to the side after missing last week's loss to the Western Bulldogs.
However, coach Damien Hardwick indicated on Wednesday that the 23-year-old was unlikely to boost Richmond's on-ball brigade by returning this week.
"He's touch and go this week. We probably think we'll be very cautious with Dion," Hardwick said.
"It's an injury that, if it happened on the game day, he'd be every chance to play. It's not a significant injury, it's very minor, but he's an important long-term player for us so we'll make sure he gets it right.
"The chance of him playing this week is slim."
Prestia was among the rehab group doing light duties at the start of Wednesday's main training session at Punt Road Oval dealing with the "tightness".
In better news for the Tigers, Shane Edwards is available to play after a five-week stint on the sidelines with a hip injury.
Hardwick said Richmond would most likely name Edwards on Thursday night, with a decision then to be made on whether he was ready to come straight back into the senior side or whether he requires a game at VFL level before returning.
The Tigers will also have first-choice ruckman Toby Nankervis back from suspension, and Richmond will consider keeping his replacement, Ivan Soldo, in the side to combat Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands.
"We were pretty pleased with Ivan and what he brought to the table with his pressure around the contest. It was a real learning curve for him and we were thoroughly impressed with the way he went about it. He certainly looks a player of the future," Hardwick said.
"Whether we go in with the two rucks … we'll have a look at that come selection, but we were really pleased with what we got out of Ivan on the weekend."
Key forward Ben Griffiths was running laps at training as he continues to recover from another concussion. Hardwick remained confident Griffiths would return once given the all-clear from medicos after several serious head knocks.
Richmond fell five points short of the Bulldogs last round, a week after losing to Adelaide by 75 points at Adelaide Oval in a defeat that ended their unbeaten start to the season. Hardwick was pleased with his team's response against the Dogs last week despite not coming away with the win.
"We look at our review and we're incredibly pleased with what we saw out of that game. Our boys took a lot of belief out of that, that we've taken it up to the reigning premiers and we were probably both a bit understaffed in certain areas," Hardwick said.
"But it was a pretty good game of footy from both sides."
