CLAYE Beams is the latest addition to the Brisbane Lions' casualty ward, with the half-back set for surgery on the injured medial ligament in his left knee on Wednesday.
Beams will miss a minimum of three to four weeks, but if there is damage to the meniscus, it would sideline the luckless youngster for longer.
The news comes after it was confirmed skipper Tom Rockliff would be out for up to six weeks following his latest dose of broken ribs.
The Lions will also be without young star James Aish (jaw) for up to five weeks and former skipper Jed Adcock (calf) for three weeks following another horrid weekend of setbacks.
Lions football manager Dean Warren said the full extent of Beams' injury was not known yet.
"We'll know more after he's had surgery, so we'll have a full update on Thursday morning," Warren told AFL.com.au.
"If the surgeon finds a problem with the meniscus, that will need a bit of a snip, which would put him out for longer."
Warren said no chances would be taken with Rockliff after the captain re-broke the same three ribs he fractured against Collingwood in round one.
On that occasion he returned three weeks later.
Pearce Hanley could play his first game of the season against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday after recovering from pre-season hip surgery, while Jack Redden (back) faces a fitness test to regain his spot.
