Carlton Football Club has announced that star midfielder Sam Walsh will be sidelined for approximately six weeks due to a newly discovered foot injury.

The injury was identified as a 'hot spot' after Walsh reported foot soreness following a training session on June 12, 2025, leading to further medical evaluation.

Fortunately, scans confirmed that there is no fracture, and Walsh will not require surgery, allowing him to focus on recovery.

Despite the setback, Walsh is targeting a return in just over a month, potentially rejoining the team for the final rounds of the season.

Brad Lloyd, Carlton's general manager of football, indicated that Walsh could possibly return in either round 19 or 20 of the season.

Walsh has played all 12 games this season and was aiming for his first full season since 2021, having previously missed games due to a back issue.

Walsh's injury adds to Carlton's growing injury list, which includes players like Matt Cottrell and Lachie Cowan, while Jagga Smith, Brodie Kemp, and Nic Newman have been ruled out for the season.

In light of Walsh's absence, wingman Jaxon Binns has been included in the team for the upcoming match against the West Coast Eagles.

The Blues are set to face the West Coast Eagles in Western Australia on June 14, 2025, without Walsh and key forward Harry McKay.

Lloyd noted that Walsh could not complete a training session due to the pain in his foot, highlighting the severity of the injury.

This timeline suggests that Walsh may return with only a few games left in the home and away season, impacting the team's playoff aspirations.

Before this season, Walsh dealt with a hamstring injury but managed to recover in time for the season opener against Richmond in March.