The Pies ruck coach and veteran of 161 senior games across three previous AFL clubs could debut for his latest outfit as early as Round 1 against North Melbourne.
Pies medical and football management are monitoring the recovery from a bruised kidney by premier lead ruckman Darren Jolly ahead of the season opener at Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday.
Hudson, 34, was enticed out of retirement for a second time at the start of summer training as he launched his coaching career and was taken by the Pies at pick number 48 in last December's rookie draft.
It had originally been planned that the former Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane big man would play in the Pies VFL team and nurture developing ruckmen under his wing.
The travelled and tireless big man will oversee evolution of young Pies big men Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts especially.
It is understood, though, that Hudson was always expected to slot into at least a handful of back-up outings as Pies fitness and conditioning staff manage Jolly through another heavy workload and crucial year leading the ruck.
Hudson's first fill-in engagement could be earlier than anticipated as Jolly recovers from a nasty knee into his back in the Pies scratch-match loss to Geelong at Simonds Stadium last Friday.
Jolly has been released from an overnight stay in hospital as a precaution against any further damage.
The dual premiership ruck star is expected to be carefully monitored with Pies staff unlikely to take any risk with such a vital long-term commodity as Jolly with such gifted back-up on the books.
Hudson was elevated from the rookie list along with rapidly emerging big defender Jack Frost after his impressive summer and NAB Cup series.
Frost, just turned 21, appears to have been called up for key big man defensive duties as Pies medicos monitor injury recoveries from premiership backmen Ben Reid and Nathan Brown.
The Pies also still have versatile tall backman Lachlan Keeffe recovering from knee troubles.
The AFL announced ahead of Tuesday's rookie elevation deadline that seven players from five clubs had been promoted to senior lists.
Western Bulldogs utility Brett Goodes, the younger brother of Adam, continued another astonishing AFL comeback tale when he was elevated.
Goodes, 29, was a Bulldogs welfare and development coach last season before he was taken in December's rookie draft.
He was elevated and could even make his debut against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday.
Richmond continued a distinct mature-age recruiting campaign for 2013 in a genuine tilt at making the finals for the first time since 2001 with elevation of experienced pair Ricky Petterd and Orren Stephenson.
Carlton added tough defender Ed Curnow to their senior list.
Clubs can only elevate a rookie at the end of the NAB Cup series if they have less than 40 players in their senior list as well as having room in their salary cap.
Rookies can also be elevated if a club places a player on the long term injury list.
Elevated Rookies
Brisbane Lions – Justin Clarke.
Carlton – Ed Curnow.
Collingwood – Ben Hudson, Jack Frost.
Richmond – Ricky Petterd, Orren Stephenson.
Western Bulldogs – Brett Goodes.