Essendon ruckman Sam Draper has continued his positive rehabilitation from a syndesmosis injury suffered in round two.

The 205cm tall, who started 2021 as the Dons’ first-choice big man, sustained the severe ankle injury in the Bombers’ loss to Port Adelaide.

Head of high performance Sean Murphy said the 22-year-old had reached another major step in his rehabilitation, with Draper now running and increasing his workload.

“’Drapes’ is back running now and getting some volume into the legs,” Murphy told Dons Digital’s Liberty Financial Performance Update.

“He’s ticking all the boxes. The last couple of weeks, he’s been on a nice trajectory, so we’ll continue to build him up.”

Another positive injury update is the progression of young key defender Zach Reid, who has returned to the NEC Hangar after being diagnosed with glandular fever.

Reid will be on a modified training program in the immediate term, with hopes the 19-year-old will be able to commence full training in as little as two weeks.

“'Reidy' got diagnosed with glandular (fever). He was home with his parents and rested up for a week or two and that put him into really good stead,” Murphy said.

“He’s (been) back at the club from yesterday and he’ll build up his program over the next couple of weeks.

“He’s in good spirits and has good energy. We’ll take a bit of a slower approach with him, but we expect him back over the next couple of weeks.”

Forward Alec Waterman will be available for selection at AFL and VFL level after successfully rehabilitating his ankle injury.

Murphy said the 24-year-old would train this week with no hindrances.  

“The bye came at a good time for ‘Watto’,” Murphy said.

“He’s 100 per cent now and he’ll play this week (in either VFL or AFL) and train this week. That ankle is no issue now.”

Murphy also touched on injury updates for Jye Caldwell, Jake Stringer, Dylan Clarke and Marty Gleeson, while also listing stellar high-performance efforts from Zach Merrett and Will Snelling in Saturday's two-point loss to GWS.

Watch round nine’s Liberty Financial Performance Update below.  

INJURY LIST - RD 9