Carlton may look to shuffle its backline against Adelaide this weekend with rebounding defender Ciaran Byrne ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Byrne will be sidelined for 12 months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday night’s loss to Collingwood at the MCG. The 21-year-old was taken from the ground on a stretcher after landing awkwardly following a bump from Collingwood’s Travis Varcoe.

The former Category B rookie has played 11 games for the Blues, flourishing under the guidance of first-year coach Brendon Bolton.

Carlton Head of Football Andrew McKay said it was a blow for the in-form youngster.

"Long term injuries are always disappointing, particularly as Ciaran was having a really solid season so far," McKay told Carlton’s official website.

"He will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and will commence his rehabilitation process not long after that.“

Crows going game by game, says Lyons

The Blues will also be sweating on the fitness of No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering, who rolled his ankle in the third quarter of the loss to the Magpies.

Weitering managed to play out the game, but Bolton said the club would take no risks with the youngster in the lead-up to Sunday’s clash with the Crows at the MCG.

“I think he’s okay, he came back on, we wouldn’t put guys at risk so he seems okay,” Bolton said.

Weitering has played 12 games in his debut AFL season, only missing two matches due to a shoulder injury sustained in Round Six.

Carlton could welcome back Dennis Armfield for this week’s clash with Adelaide. The veteran has missed two matches with a groin injury sustained in Round 12 against St Kilda.

Captain Marc Murphy (ankle) is likely to miss at least another week, whilst young guns Charlie Curnow and Blaine Boekhorst both returned to action in the VFL after extended lay-offs and may come into the selection mix.