Stringer tallied just eight disposals in last week's loss to the Western Bulldogs, and it was clear to see he was struggling physically at times.
Earlier this week, Essendon coach Brad Scott said Stringer was "medically available" to play against the Swans on Saturday, but would need to prove at training that he was physically up to the mark.
The Bombers revealed on Thursday that Stringer is struggling with a plantar fascia injury - the same complaint Fremantle star Nat Fyfe battled earlier this year.
No timeline has been set on Stringer's return.
"Jake was restricted with discomfort in his plantar fascia this week during some speed running at training," Essendon's performance manager Daniel McPherson told the club's website.
"He won't play this weekend, but we're hopeful the injury will recover quickly.
"We'll know more after he's had a few days off the foot, but the plan will be to deload him, complete some cross-training in the meantime, and then start to reload the foot and progress him back into training reasonably quickly."
Defender Jordan Ridley was also ruled out after suffering a quad injury that will sideline him for the rest of the home-and-away season.
Just two weeks after making a selection bombshell by dropping ruckman Brodie Grundy, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin swung the axe on Brown ahead of Sunday's clash with Richmond at the MCG.
Brown was scoreless from just five possessions in last week's four-point win over Adelaide, meaning he has booted just two goals from four appearances since his round-16 recall.
Grundy has been named on the extended bench for a second straight week, with the former Pie a chance to replace Brown in the 22.
Tom Sparrow was ruled out with a minor calf injury, but Harrison Petty could return from rib soreness.
Port Adelaide have decided to "manage" ruckman Scott Lycett for Saturday night's Showdown against the Crows, while Willie Rioli goes out through suspension.
Travis Boak has been dropped from the 22, but Port confirmed he will be named the tactical sub.
Adelaide have lost Izak Rankine (hamstring) and Nick Murray (knee) to injury, but club champion Rory Laird and rising star nominee Max Michalanney return.
Irish defender Mark Keane, who notched five games for Collingwood before returning to Ireland at the start of 2022, will make his Crows debut.
Carlton welcome back captain Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra among six changes for Friday night's blockbuster against the Magpies at the MCG.
Jack Martin (calf), Marc Pittonet (knee) and Matt Owies (calf) also return, along with Caleb Marchbank, who will notch his first AFL game of the year after impressive VFL form.
Gun midfielder Sam Walsh (hamstring) and utility Jack Silvagni (knee) are among the outs.
For Collingwood, Will Hoskin-Elliot replaces Bobby Hill (illness).
West Coast have been bolstered by the return of Elliot Yeo (hip) for Sunday's home clash with North Melbourne, but Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and Tom Barrass (shoulder) will spend another week on the sidelines.
The Western Bulldogs welcome back Jason Johannisen from a hamstring injury for Saturday's top-eight match against GWS, while forward Rory Lobb has been handed a recall.
