Carlton star Patrick Cripps is having weekly injections just to be fit to play, SEN’s Sam Edmund has revealed.

Cripps has come under heavy criticism for his form to start the 2021 season, as the Blues remain winless from two games.

But Edmund said behind-the-scenes, there was plenty going on for Cripps.

“Paddy Cripps is playing hurt,” Edmund said on SEN.

“The fact of the matter is he’s being plagued by an injury that’s requiring weekly injections, I’m told, to get him to the start line.

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“I’ve been told by club sources that if this was a pre-season time of the year, December, January or even February, then Paddy Cripps would be put on ice for four to six weeks.

“But this mystery injury has got him playing hurt.”

Edmund said the mystery injury would not keep him out of the upcoming clash with Fremantle on Sunday.

“I’m told there’s no risk of it getting worse with him going out there, so he’s just got to put up with it,” he said.

The injury revelation comes as footy commentator Kane Cornes warned West Coast and Fremantle not to overpay the West Aussie in a bid to lure him home when he comes out of contract at the end of 2021.

“I like him as a player, don’t get me wrong, I just wouldn’t pay him along the lines of the Dustin Martin, the Dangerfields, the Bontempellis, Lachie Neale,” he said.

“I think he’s a $750,000 player over four years, that’s the level I’d be comfortable with. I’ve heard some ridiculous numbers (like) $1m, $1.3 million for Patrick Cripps.

“I wouldn’t get sucked into that.”