Having not played an AFL game since round 16, 2024, King had overcome his latest calf issue and was pushing for a senior recall in coming weeks.
The 25-year-old kicked two early goals in the VFL clash with Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday, but left the field with what the Saints referred to as "hamstring awareness".
He iced his left leg and played no further part in the contest, which the Blues won by five points.
King's latest setback came just 24 hours after Saints coach Ross Lyon spoke glowingly of the forward's progress in his latest comeback attempt.
"We're actually thrilled that he's out there, he's really confident in himself and his ability to contribute," Lyon said on Friday.
"He would've played (AFL) last week, to be honest, if he could pick the team.
"So that's great, but we have got people at the moment in form.
"We'll just keep working with Max. When it is and what it looks like, I don't know."
King, the No.4 draft pick in 2018, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.
The 202cm key forward managed just 23 games across the 2023-24 seasons, before a pre-season knee injury last year led to multiple surgeries.
Contracted to St Kilda until 2032, King has played 83 senior games across eight seasons and kicked 159 goals.
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