Moeen was hurt while running between the wickets in England's first innings on Thursday, and did not take to The Oval to field in the final session on day one.
England's medical staff will continue to monitor the injury into Friday, after Moeen clearly struggled to run with any power after suffering the issue with the bat.
Likely playing in his last Test for England, Moeen loomed as a crucial component of the hosts bid to draw the series 2-2 in the final match.
The Oval wicket is renowned for turning, and with Australia batting last spin was likely to be a factor.
If this is to be Moeen's exit after being called out of retirement for this series and offering no guarantees on his future, the 36-year-old went down swinging.
After seeking on-field treatment when he pulled up lame on a run, Moeen opted to take the long handle to Australia rather than retire hurt.
He scored 23 runs in his next nine balls, hooking Pat Cummins for six and then upper-cutting the quick for another boundary.
As entertaining as it was, Moeen's decision to carry on prompted fears he may be well aware his chances of bowling in the match could be already be gone.
"That was his decision really," Harry Brook, who top-scored with 85 and was batting with Moeen at the time, said.
"As soon as the physio left the pitch he was like 'should I just tee off now'. And I said you should've been doing that from the start.
"He is one of the best power hitters in the world, and we have seen that in franchise cricket and white-ball cricket.
"Obviously he was in a fair bit of pain ... Hopefully later in the game he might have a bit of a role to play."
If Moeen is unable to bowl, England would have to lean on Joe Root as their spin option after previously using him heavily in the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord's.
England are already without Ben Stokes' bowling for this match due to his ongoing knee issues.
But they have picked four quicks in Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday.
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