Hawthorn forward Chad Wingard will have surgery on Monday afternoon after suffering a lacerated tongue in a horror incident against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
It comes after the 29-year-old received a stray arm to the mouth in a marking contest late in the second term in the side's loss to the Giants.
Wingard's return to play timing will depend on the surgical outcome and how the Hawks recovers.
An update will be provided on hawthornfc.com.au in the coming days.
Speaking post-game, Hawthorn Coach Sam Mitchell said the veteran left the game early and flew home to Melbourne to have surgery.
"I saw him at half-time and gave him a bit of a cuddle, but I think he's got a lacerated tongue which needs surgery, so that sounds horrible to me," Mitchell said.
"He'll head back to Melbourne tonight with some of the staff. To be honest, lacerated tongue surgery, I've never heard of that before, but I can imagine it's not feeling that great for him.
"They had to take him to hospital. They were waiting for the transport at half-time, so I quickly saw him then, and he's gone to hospital. I don't have all the details, but lacerated tongue surgery sounds nasty to me."
