Richmond are bracing for star midfielder Tim Taranto to miss up to two months with his broken wrist in a huge blow after a tough start to the AFL season.

But the Tigers, reeling at 1-4 after a defeat to lowly West Coast last week, expect to get Jacob Hopper and Dylan Grimes back from injuries for their next-start clash with Melbourne in round seven.

Reigning best-and-fairest winner Taranto hurt his wrist at training before last week’s loss to the Eagles in Perth.

The prolific midfielder has joined a long injury list, which also features fellow senior stars Noah Balta, Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia and Jayden Short.

The Tigers did not initially put a time frame on Taranto’s recovery, but on Friday confirmed the toll it would take.

“It was a pretty unfortunate accident at the end of training last week on Friday, in the last play of the last drill,” Richmond physical performance manager Luke Meehan said.

“He had surgery that day. We were lucky enough to get him in, and he actually went home that night.

“He has pulled up really well. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long, but at this stage we’re looking at a six to eight week period.”

Hopper has not played since round two because of a knee injury and still has some boxes to tick before being given the green light to face Melbourne.

Triple-premiership defender and former captain Grimes is in the same boat, having not played since round three because of a wrist injury.

But the pair are expected to recover and play against the Demons at the MCG on the night before Anzac Day.

Short was substituted out of the loss to West Coast with a calf injury, but is expected back within a fortnight.