Round 9 Rising Star nominee Colby McKercher will miss Sunday's clash with Essendon, and his availability beyond this week will depend on his symptoms and progress.

The young gun reported foot soreness following the club's match against the Gold Coast Suns in Darwin and scans have confirmed bone stress in his right foot.

After missing the trip to the Northern Territory, co-captain Jy Simpkin will test later in the week as he attempts to overcome quad tightness leading into Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Defender Kallan Dawson is nearing a return to play and should join parts of team training this week, according to North Melbourne head physiotherapist Brenton Egglestone.

The key backman hasn't featured for the Roos since going down with an ankle injury during a session at Arden Street Oval in the build-up to the club's trip to Geelong in Round 5.

>> VIEW THE FULL INJURY LIST

He's slated to make a comeback in around 1-2 weeks.

"Kal's ankle is continuing to improve and he has been increasing his workload on the training track with more agility and football skills," Egglestone said.

"However, he still has some power and strength deficits that he is working hard in the gym to correct."

Fellow defender Brayden George has been working hard on his shoulder strength and stability having dislocated it during a VFL hitout against GWS in late April.

He's integrated back into skills training and is on the verge of returning to contact sessions.

Also injured in that reserves clash with the Giants was Hamish Free, who sustained a second concussion for year which has led to the club taking a more conservative approach.

"Hamish has recovered well from his concussion," Egglestone said.

"He's in the final stages of his concussion protocol and if he passes through, he will be on track to return this weekend."

Griffin Logue's minor hamstring strain is settling well and he'll build his workload back up this week "with a focus on hard changes of direction and jump/land work for his end-stage knee rehabilitation".

"We should see him start integrating into team training drills over the next two weeks," Egglestone said.