Essendon ruckman Sam Draper has opened up on his Achilles rupture, saying it “feels like it’s not fair” while revealing he was sure he had been stepped on by an opponent’s boot when he went down on Friday night.

The 26-year-old will undergo surgery early next week after scans confirmed the extent of the injury suffered in a two-point win over West Coast on Friday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Essendon ruckman Sam Draper opens up on suspected Achilles rupture.

“We’re absolutely devastated for ‘Drapes’, who’s had a terrific start to the year,” Bombers football boss Dan McPherson said.

“He’s worked so hard over the course of the pre-season and had started the season really strongly.

“Sam’s obviously an important player for us but he’s also such a beloved member of this group by players, staff and fans alike. We’ll support him through his rehab.”

The Bombers had feared a season-ending blow for the out-of-contract ruck, who spoke to 7NEWS Melbourne’s Kate Massey at scans on Sunday morning.

“Yeah, pretty flat,” Draper said.

“I don’t know the extent yet but not feeling too confident.”

Draper went down all on his own and needed to watch the replay to be convinced he had not been hurt by another player.

“I thought someone was there,” he said.

“I thought someone stepped on the back of my leg — and there was no one there back on the vision. That’s probably as much evidence as you need (of an Achilles rupture), I reckon.”

The injury leaves Essendon seriously short in the ruck after Nick Bryan suffered a season-ending ACL tear just last week.

Todd Goldstein, who played 14 games last year in his first season with the Bombers, could now play a key role ahead of 37th birthday in July.

Untried 19-year-old ruck Vigo Visentini could also come into calculations while a mature-age recruit will likely be sought at the mid-season draft in May.

While the impact on the team is clear, the Achilles setback is taking its toll on a far more personal level.

“It just feels like it’s not fair,” Draper said.

“I was in the best shape of my career and felt I was playing the best footy I’ve played in my career as well. That’s what’s the real kicker for me just because I know I was going so well and playing with a lot of confidence.

“But it’s alright, I’ll be back. I believe in myself, believe in my body and believe in my team as well. I’ll be back. It’s going to be tough watching this year, if I’m out for the whole year who knows, but I’ll be back stronger.”

Channel 7’s Sunday Footy Feast host Kate McCarthy said it was difficult to see Draper so down after speaking to him on the show just last week on the back of an Essendon win.

“A real credit to him for stopping and chatting to Kate,” McCarthy said.

“You can tell he’s completely devastated and you could see in the rooms post-match, visibly upset. It’s shattering and it’s quite emotional to see a player like that.

“I love what he said at the end, he’ll be back, he’ll be better, but he was playing for some fantastic football.”

The expected layoff arrives with Draper facing a tough decision on his future.

The Adelaide Crows have long been interested and may still be, given he was recently confirmed as an unrestricted free agent.

He may not command a contract as lucrative as before the injury but the Crows would not need to give up draft assets to secure the ruckman, while Essendon will no doubt continue to convince Draper to stick with the club.

“He’d been holding off (on talks) to try and build his value. Now he gets injured,” 7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary said.

“I think there’ll still be strong offers outside of Essendon and at the Bombers but his value does take a little hit.”

Bryan is also out of contract at the Bombers.