ESSENDON defender Michael Hibberd will be sidelined for up to three weeks after scans showed he suffered a minor hamstring strain during the Bombers' round 18 win over the Western Bulldogs.

"Unfortunately he has a … a minor tear," club doctor Bruce Reid told the Essendon website.

"Because it is low in the hamstring, it allows him to play on, which he did for a quarter before he tightened up.

"He is probably going to miss two to three weeks."