'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue.
The English seamer increased England's injury problems when he left the field early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.
The pace bowler felt a problem in his left leg after the final ball of the fourth over during the morning session.
The England team indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and required time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The series decider of the series at the SCG starts at the end of the week.
The visitors have previously lost fast bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and another paceman because of a side injury on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as injury reinforcement.
His form was underwhelming in the opening two Tests, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was left out of the third Test, then recalled for the Boxing Day match as Archer's replacement.
The county bowler improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, before adding 28 as a batsman being one of only three English batsmen who passed ten runs.
Following a brief spell late on the first day, he came back the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
However, at the end of that over, he sent down a change of pace to Travis Head and promptly felt his left hamstring.
Atkinson was brought back for the Boxing Day Test having missed the Adelaide game.
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