Hawthorn may have lost Josh Weddle for the remainder of the AFL season after the in-form defender was sidelined with a back injury.

Weddle, one of Hawthorn’s best players this season, pulled up with a sore back after Saturday’s 85-point win over North Melbourne in Launceston.

7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary first reported that Weddle will miss a “significant chunk of footy”.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

The Hawks announced on Tuesday scans have shown the early stages of bone stress.

“We will need to take some time to de-load Josh during this initial phase before we can identify just how long he will be sidelined for,” Hawks doctor Liam West said in a club statement.

“Given how early the injury was discovered, we are hopeful he can return to play before the end of the season.

“While this is obviously disappointing for Josh, our priority right now is taking a careful and cautious approach to ensure (he) makes a safe return but as quickly as possible.”

Weddle, 21, has played 57 games since his 2023 debut.

- With AAP