Out of form veteran Lucas, who was told on Tuesday by coach Matthew Knights that he would not be selected for Friday night's clash with Hawthorn, was given the choice of taking the weekend off or turning out for Bendigo.
Assistant coach Scott Camporeale said Lucas had agreed a stint in the VFL was for the best.
"Scotty has put his hand up to play and I think it is fantastic by him to get back, get some good form and come back and be a real key for us," he said.
Meanwhile, Adam McPhee has emerged as a possible opponent for either Jarryd Roughead or Lance Franklin.
The Bombers are light on for tall defensive options with Dustin Fletcher on the injury list, Darcy Daniher and Michael Hurley set to play for Bendigo and Paddy Ryder assuming the role of no. 1 ruckman.
McPhee, who has played most of his Essendon career as a forward, says he would happily take Roughead or Franklin if asked.
"I would, yeah definitely. I like the challenge. It is (going to be) a quality player, be it either Roughead or Franklin, but I have got to do what the team needs us to do," he said on Thursday.
"With Dustin Fletcher out we are short in the backline at the moment and I'd have to do what is asked of me."
McPhee has spent time in defence this season and said it was a matter of team balance and match-ups.
"My role has changed from week to week. I could be forward or I could be back. It will be weighed up on the night and I am not sure who is going to be responsible for the two big fellas," he said.
"We need to concentrate on what is going to make us win. It is well-documented that Hawthorn are very good at the contested ball and we need to concentrate on making sure we can either match them in that area or beat them and also get our tackling count up."
Camporeale said the Bombers were yet to settle on their match ups for the key Hawks.
"Not quite, we are still discussing who will get the big two. Obviously the last few weeks we have gone a bit younger and Adam has been playing down there as well," Camporeale said.
Recruit Brent Prismall will line up for his first game this week for VFL team the Bendigo Bombers and will be joined by Lucas as he seeks to find some form.
"It has been a hard one for him (Prismall), obviously coming from Geelong and then coming to a new club. Having a reconstruction is not ideal when you're trying to break into the side," Camporeale said.
"He is really keen and the fitness staff has had to try keep him in check because Brent is only 22 years of age and we are thinking he could be a 10-year player for us."
