By Peter Ryan
Essendon utility Nik Cox will not play again this season after consultation with the AFL鈥檚 concussion panel, but is aiming to continue his career in 2026.
The 23-year-old suffered a head knock before Christmas that kept him sidelined for an extended period. He returned to play against North Melbourne in the VFL, but was again sidelined as his concussion symptoms returned after his following match against Sydney.
He appeared before the AFL鈥檚 concussion panel in June at a similar time as West Coast veteran Jeremy McGovern, however, unlike the Eagles premiership defender, Cox was not told to retire immediately.
鈥淎fter meeting with an independent AFL medical panel regarding my concussion history, I鈥檓 pleased that I鈥檝e been cleared to continue my playing career. Whilst I鈥檓 disappointed that I won鈥檛 return to the field for the remainder of the 2025 season, this time away from the game will be used to focus fully on my health, recovery, and building the strongest possible foundation heading into pre-season,鈥 Cox said.