But club officials are adamant the in-demand free agent will do everything in his power to be back for what could equate to a farewell appearance from the Power in round 24.
Butters' playing future is undecided, amid reports the 25-year-old Victorian product is likely to move back to his home state for next season.
He will have surgery in coming days after sustaining a high-grade ankle syndesmosis injury in Saturday's loss to St Kilda.
"He thinks he can (get back) but he's booked in for surgery later in the week," Port assistant coach Stuart Dew told reporters on Monday.
"Until they get in there and see the full extent, generally after that we get a bit of a report.
"He'll set his timeline and I know he's already messaged about how he'll make sure he's back.
"We'll see how he goes, but one thing we know is he'll be itching to play again."
Butters leaves a huge hole in a Port midfield already without injured captain Connor Rozee due to a long-term hamstring injury.
Jason Horne-Francis (suspended) and key forward Mitch Georgiades (concussion) will also miss the tough assignment against ladder leaders Fremantle on Saturday.
Lachie Jones (ribs) and Jack Lukosius (calf) face further assessment this week before they can be cleared to play.
Dew forecast a long match committee meeting as the Power brains trust searched for answers to their personnel problems.
He nominated Jase Burgoyne, Joe Richards and Corey Durdin as players who could spend more time in midfield against Fremantle.
Former Dockers ball-winner Will Brodie, rookie Jack Watkins, Will Lorenz and Christian Moraes could also be called up from the SANFL to play alongside Ollie Wines and Willem Drew.
"There's a couple of boys that are a bit sore and sorry, but it will be an opportunity for others," Dew said.
"Throughout the year, guys that have come in have done a pretty good job that wouldn't necessarily play there.
"It's a chance for some other guys to step up and, as always, we're trying to build a midfield around a group and not individuals.
"I feel like they've been buying into that, in particular over the last six weeks, so we'll have to lean on that again."
Port (6-11) sit 15th in Josh Carr's first season as coach, two wins plus percentage outside the wildcard places with six rounds left in the home-and-away season.
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