Richmond midfielder Jack Ross is facing another lengthy stint on the sidelines after suffering a concussion in the second quarter of Saturday night’s clash against Carlton.
Blues midfielder Lachie Cowan was waiting under a high handball on the boundary line as Ross came charging in to put pressure on.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jack Ross ruled out after heavy head collision
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Ross ended up awkwardly crashing into Cowan with his head making contact with the Carlton player’s shoulder.
His head also hit the ground hard front in front of the interchange bench.
“He’s in trouble, he led with the head … I think he’s in a bit of strife,” David King said on Fox Footy.
Ross looked dazed and went down to the rooms for a head injury assessment before being ruled out with a concussion.
It’s the second concussion in the space of a month for the 25-year-old.
After the Round 12 match against Sydney, Ross had delayed concussion symptoms and was placed into protocols.
The Tigers had the bye the following week, but he then missed the next two matches as he struggled to overcome the injury.
He was cleared to return last week against Collingwood, but this latest knock puts his season in doubt.
Ross has been one of Richmond’s better players this year, averaging 23 disposals and five tackles a game — both career-highs.
Carlton also lost a player to concussion with Lewis Young coming from the field in the third quarter and not returning.
Young was a late inclusion for boom youngster Harry Dean, who was withdrawn on the eve of the match with a cut hand.
The injuries took the gloss off a thrilling two-point victory to Carlton.
Richmond made a hot start with five goals in the first quarter as they hunted just their third win of the season.
The Tigers led by as many as 19 points in the second term before the Blues kicked into gear five straight goals to take a eight-point lead into the long break.
Carlton looked like cruising to a hard-fought victory when they led by 14 points late in the final quarter, but Richmond almost pulled off a miracle comeback in the final two minutes.
Mykelti Lefau kicked a goal after a contentious rushed behind free kick against Nick Haynes before Seth Campbell set up a frantic final minute when he kicked truly after receiving a free kick for a high tackle.
The Tigers won the next centre clearance, but Carlton successfully held on with a string of clutch tackles to seal their seventh win in a row.
