The Magpies this week confirmed no broken bones for the premiership ruckman but cartilage damage which has caused discomfort.
Ben Hudson came into the line-up in place of Jolly against the Hawks and Magpies chief executive Gary Pert said Jolly would remain on the sidelines until he was pain-free.
"Darren's coming along," Pert said.
"If anyone's had a big whack in the ribs, they know how tough it can, especially for a ruckman where you're having to hold your body position so strongly against another 110kg gorilla.
"Until that pain goes away, that'll be a matter of two or three weeks, he can't compete.
"That gives Ben Hudson a chance to get out there. We recruited him for this exact reason. I don't think we're going to drop away."
The Magpies face high-flying Richmond in round four, before the Anzac Day clash against Essendon and a round-six meeting with St Kilda.
