'Significant concern' for the touring side as Atkinson goes off due to a hamstring issue.
The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the field early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left hamstring immediately following a delivery of the fourth over during the morning session.
The England team reported Atkinson felt some "soreness" and required time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "over the next few hours".
The final Test of the series at the SCG gets underway at the end of the week.
The English side has been without strike bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman because of a side injury on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was called up as injury reinforcement.
The seamer had a tough time early in the series, taking just three wickets.
He was left out of the third Test, then recalled for the fourth Test in the playing XI.
Surrey's Atkinson improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets in Australia's first innings, before adding 28 as a batsman being one of only three England players who passed ten runs.
Following a brief spell late on the first day, he came back the next day and had nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.
Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of the fifth over, he delivered a variation to Travis Head and immediately felt his left hamstring.
The English bowler returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test having missed the previous Test.
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