Exeter’s Australia flanker Tom Hooper will miss between six and eight weeks after straining a knee ligament.
The 24-year-old underwent scans after being forced off in the opening stages of Exeter’s 8-3 loss to Bristol last week.
The Chiefs had feared a significant injury could end the summer signing’s season.
But scans show he has strained the medial ligament in his knee and will not require surgery.
The news means he could be fit for the resumption of the Prem Rugby season on 21 March.
However fellow back-row Kane James will need surgery for an ankle injury he suffered in the 31-0 European Challenge Cup win over Cardiff earlier this month.
The 20-year-old could be out for more than three months, ruling him out for much of the rest of the campaign.
