Bontempelli suffered a "low-level sprain" during the Bulldogs' defeat to Melbourne in the season-opener on Wednesday night.
The star midfielder is now in a race against time to prove his fitness for Thursday's meeting with the Blues at Marvel Stadium.
"Like any ankle sprain, he has some pain and swelling that we are managing in the early part of this week," Bulldogs head of sports medicine Chris Bell said.
"We will work through a process with Marcus into next week to determine his availability to play against the Blues on Thursday night."
Jason Johannisen will miss at least two more games after he was a late withdrawal from the Melbourne clash with a calf issue.
"During the warm-up for the game against the Demons, Jason had an acute episode of calf tightness," Bell said.
"Scans have confirmed our clinical suspicion that 'JJ' has suffered a calf muscle strain."
In better news, versatile former Hawthorn tall Tim O'Brien is nearing the end of his recovery from a hamstring injury and is a chance to play his first game for the Bulldogs against Carlton.
The Blues have their own issues, with coach Michael Voss and forward Jack Martin among four people in the club's football department to test positive to COVID-19.
They will isolate for seven days under AFL protocols and will miss the Bulldogs clash.
Carlton senior assistant coach Ashley Hansen will act as head coach in Voss' absence.
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