Orlando City defender Antonio Carlos out for 12-16 weeks with hamstring injury | OneFootball

Orlando City defender Antonio Carlos is set for a 12-16 week spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the club announced Thursday.

The Brazilian center-back sustained the injury during Orlando's 4-2 defeat to LAFC last weekend, coming out of the match in the 16th minute.

Carlos doesn't require surgery at this stage but will be a huge loss after starting each of the Lions' first six games of the 2022 MLS season.

"Antonio Carlos has been ruled out with a high hamstring injury on his left leg," said an official club press release. "The injury, which was diagnosed following assessment by the Club’s official medical team at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, will not require surgery at this time. Antonio Carlos is expected to miss 12 to 16 weeks for recovery."

Carlos has been an integral piece to the Orlando City backline since joining from Palmeiras in 2020, making 63 appearances for the club so far. The 29-year-old has formed a particularly solid partnership with Robin Jansson and the duo have helped Orlando reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of head coach Oscar Pareja's two seasons in charge so far.

After six games this season, the Lions are sixth in the Eastern Conference with eight points ahead of this weekend's home clash with the Chicago Fire.