Western Bulldogs stand-in skipper Easton Wood has suffered an injury scare in his side’s AFL clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Wood was helped off the field by trainers in the third quarter, having grimaced with pain after flying for a loose ball and landing on his left leg.

Wood is leading the Bulldogs in the absence of Bob Murphy, who is one of many high-profile players at the luckless club to suffer a serious injury this year.