ESSENDON veteran Dustin Fletcher could be sidelined for as long as eight weeks, according to the club website.

Fletcher, who was playing in his 300th game against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, left the field during the third quarter with a leg injury.

X-rays later confirmed that the defender's left fibula had been cracked.

Further scans on Monday will determine the expected length of recovery.

The Essendon club website reports that a hairline fracture would be the best case scenario, although the Bombers are not dismissing the possibility that Fletcher could be out for up to two months.