The Crows were forced to make four changes for their clash with Fremantle last weekend, after losing Jason Porplyzia (shoulder), David Mackay (AC joint), Rory Sloane (jaw/thumb) and Michael Doughty (corked thigh) to injury in round one, and are sweating on the fitness of two more players this week.
Midfield stars Bernie Vince (ankle) and Richard Douglas (hip) both sustained minor injuries in the loss to Freo, while Doughty is still limping and no certainty to play against Port Adelaide.
Promising defender Phil Davis (shoulder) was also injured on Saturday and has been ruled out of the clash with the Power.
Davis will see a specialist this week to determine how long he'll spend on the sidelines.
Adelaide also faces a nervous wait to see whether the match review panel upholds a charge of rough conduct against ruckman Ivan Maric who collided with Fremantle forward Michael Walters in the last quarter on Saturday.
Schmidt played 13 games in his second year on the Crows rookie last season, but the club opted not to promote him to the senior squad in 2011.
Wright, 21, is in his second year on the rookie list.
The tough onballer is an accomplished SANFL player and has worked hard to establish the fitness base required to play in the midfield at AFL level.
Skipper Nathan van Berlo said it was too early to tell whether Vince, Douglas and Doughty would be available for selection, but that Schmidt and Wright were ready to step in if necessary.
"If you look right across the board at our SANFL performances and the guys throughout the squad everyone is putting good pressure on guys in the senior side at the moment," van Berlo said on Monday.
"I know [rookie] Aidan Riley played a good game for Sturt on the weekend albeit that they had a pretty big loss. Chris Schmidt has been in some good [form] and Matthew Wright [has as well] out at North Adelaide.
"They're probably three standouts amongst the whole group and it certainly shows they're pushing their case for selection if they get the opportunity."
Key defenders Luke Thompson and James Sellar are possible replacements for Davis, while emergencies from last week Jared Petrenko and Myke Cook could also be considered for a recall.
Coach Neil Craig expressed his disappointment following Adelaide's 15-point loss to Fremantle, describing his side as "non-competitive".
Van Berlo said the Crows were desperate to atone for their dismal showing last weekend with an improved performance against the Power.
"The boys were all bitterly disappointed with what we put forward against Fremantle," he said.
"The first half on the weekend and particularly the first quarter was far and away from what we expect.
"We won't be serving that up again anytime soon, I don't think."
Van Berlo is yet to re-sign with the club for next season, but said contract negotiations would be a mere formality.
"I love the footy club and the opportunities they've given me, so I'm sure my contract will be looked after in due course," he said.
