Cousins has been joined on the sidelines this week by emerging tall Angus Graham, who is being rested due to hamstring tightness.
They are the only two omissions from the side that went so close to winning against Port Adelaide on Sunday. They have been replaced by Will Thursfield and Adam Pattison for Saturday night's 'Dreamtime at the G' clash with Essendon.
Thursfield was dropped after the round one thrashing at the hands of Carlton, while Pattison is back for his third game of the year.
Cousins is set to be training early next week, and the Tigers expect him to return for the round 10 clash with Fremantle in his home city of Perth.
"He's good – he had the plaster off today and he's in here doing some gym work," Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan told richmondfc.com.au on Thursday afternoon.
"We're hoping by early next week things have settled down, and we're hoping he's in a position to be able to play next week."
Graham has played every game since round two, and Monaghan said the decision to rest him was made in the long-term interests of the 22-year-old.
"Angus hasn't got a tear or a strain, he's just very tight, and we don't want to put him at risk this week.
"He just needs a week off to get back to 100 per cent.
"You might recall a couple of weeks ago he went down like a sack of spuds with severe cramping in both hamstrings because of his higher work rate and a lot of running, and he's just got some soreness, so the medical staff say he needs a week to fully recover."
Monaghan said both players coming into the side had shown good form in the VFL.
"Patto's been in really good form for Coburg, he had a terrific game last week and he's ready to take up the opportunity,” he said.
"Will started the season slowly, but he's gradually developed his form to the stage where we've been looking to bring him in at some stage, and this week is the perfect opportunity."
