It was initially feared the 22-year-old would miss two weeks, including a likely Elimination Final against North Melbourne, but the news is more positive than first expected.
"It's not as bad as we thought which is really good - (I'm) just going to miss this week," Carlisle said on Wednesday morning.
The 22-year-old is certain to miss Saturday's clash against Carlton at the MCG.
"We are fortunate the strain is on the minor scale," Essendon high performance manager Neil Craig said.
“Jake pulled up a little tight during a training drill and scans revealed he’d strained his hamstring.
“Knowing Jake and the professional standards he demands of himself, he’ll be doing everything to make sure he’s back out contributing to the team as soon as possible.”
Carlisle was already under an injury cloud after missing the past two matches with a back complaint.
Best known as a defender coming into the season, new Bombers’ coach Mark Thompson threw Carlisle forward and after a slow start, was rewarded for the move. Just a month ago, the forward took 31 marks in two weeks against the Bulldogs and Collingwood.
Essendon is expected to use Joe Daniher and Michael Hurley in the forward line in his absence.
