The star onballer provided ultimate click bait when he went to the change rooms during the first quarter of the match against Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium.
But it did not look serious and Bontempelli told Fox Footy "yeah, I will be alright" as he walked along the boundary line a few minutes later.
The Bulldogs have an extensive injury list ahead of their round-one game on March 15 against North Melbourne.
The 16-day break gives one of the game's best players to make sure he is ready for their season opener.
Liam Jones, Cody Weightman, Adam Treloar and Jason Johannisen are sidelined, while Bailey Dale and Ed Richards must prove their fitness after missing Thursday's game.
Star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan missed a sizeable part of the pre-season because of personal issues and it remains unclear when he will be ready to play again.
Despite Bontempelli's absence and their lengthy casualty list, the Bulldogs made a bright start and led by 22 points at half-time.
Mature-age recruit Sam Davidson, taken with pick 51 in last year's draft, was impressive early as he pressed his claims for a round-one AFL debut.
Davidson, 23, has one year left to complete his medical degree.
He had racked up a game-high 23 disposals and kicked a goal.
Defender and star recruit Tom Barrass was playing his first game for the Hawks.
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