In a blow to their top-six hopes, and with just six rounds remaining before the finals, the Bulldogs are bracing for Dale to be sidelined for at least the next five weeks.
Elsewhere, Richmond youngster Sam Lalor is on target to make his long-awaited return from a partial achilles tendon tear against third-placed Hawthorn.
All-Australian half-back Dale was injured in the dying stages of the Dogs' hard-fought win over West Coast on Sunday.
"In the final three minutes of the match, Bailey landed awkwardly in a marking contest, causing an acute injury to his shoulder," Bulldogs head of sports medicine Chris Bell said.
"Scans have confirmed that he has a minor fracture that was caused by the injury mechanism.
"Having consulted specialists, Bailey will not require surgical management for this injury, however, a conservative approach will be taken to allow the fracture to heal.
"Bailey will miss at least the next five weeks of football."
Creative and hard-running, Dale has twice won All-Australian blazers - in 2021 and 2025.
The 29-year-old had played every game for the Bulldogs to this point of the season, averaging 26.9 disposals.
He is second only to Sydney's Nick Blakey for number of rebounds out of his team's defensive 50m zone, averaging 6.4 per game.
The Dogs (10-7) sit seventh ahead of a huge clash with Gold Coast (7-10) at People First Stadium on Sunday.
Richmond's 2024 No.1 pick Lalor is set to play his first game since injuring his achilles in May.
The 19-year-old was kept to 11 games in his debut 2025 season due to hamstring issues.
Dual premiership defender Jayden Short (quad) is also a test to play against the Hawks, alongside ruck Oliver Hayes-Brown (knee), Luke Trainor (concussion) and Kaleb Smith (concussion).
Ladder leaders Fremantle are confident midfielder Hayden Young will prove he's recovered from a groin issue and face Port Adelaide.
Young, who has played just nine games this season, was sidelined from last week's top-of-the-table clash against the Swans due to a five-day turnaround.
Sydney are also hoping to regain key forward Logan McDonald against Adelaide at the SCG after spending two weeks on the sidelines with a quad strain.
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