Geelong veteran Mitch Duncan faces an uphill battle to play AFL again after suffering a shoulder injury in the VFL on Sunday.

Duncan was an unused substitute for the Cats’ big win over Richmond on Saturday, surprisingly spending the entire match on the bench.

The 305-game champion fronted up the next day to play in the VFL, but suffered an AC joint injury in an ill-timed blow given his place in the team was already precarious.

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He was back at the club on Tuesday with his arm in a sling.

The Cats said Duncan will meet with a specialist this week to discuss his options and to determine how long he may be sidelined for. It’s expected he will miss at least a month, but potentially more.

Duncan had played the past nine games for the Cats, but started as the sub in four of those and was subbed out in another.

With Geelong boasting extraordinary depth, there’s every chance Duncan doesn’t get back into the team.

The 34-year-old has been used in a variety of roles and is still a valuable contributor when he’s on the park.

But in the loss against Brisbane two weeks ago he made a series of uncharacteristic turnovers and was subbed out.

Duncan is out of contract at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, superstar midfielder Bailey Smith, All-Australian small forward Tyson Stengle and gun defender Sam De Koning all missed last week’s win over the Tigers.

Smith and Stengle are both expected to be available this week, while De Koning has been listed as a test as he works his way back from a shoulder.

It leaves coach Chris Scott with a selection squeeze ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash against fellow top-eight side GWS.

Young midfielder George Stevens impressed on debut, while fellow inclusion Jack Bowes was also prominent.

Meanwhile, forgotten veteran Cam Guthrie is still experiencing some soreness in his calf and will remain sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks.

Guthrie, the two-time best and fairest winner, hasn’t played a senior game this year and managed just 10 since the 2022 grand final.

Like Duncan, Guthrie is out of contract at the end of the season.