And with natural replacement Peter Kennedy laid up with chickenpox, it will mean a spot of reshuffling for Jewell.
The most likely option is to switch Andy Liddell out wide with Neil Roberts partnering Nathan Ellington up front.
That was the way Latics lined-up against Crewe after McCulloch's premature departure.
Another avenue open to Jewell would be to reduce the side's width and bring in a central midfielder - either Jason Jarrett or Paul Mitchell.
He could even turn his attention to the transfer market, with a full compliment of loan deals still available to Latics.
The squad was already looking on the thin side and the manager might now think it's time to put some more meat on the bones ahead of the busy schedule of seven games in March.
McCulloch left Gresty Road in agony after being taken out by Sodje's over-the-top tackle with just 15 seconds played.
Studs marks from the Crewe full-back's boot running from his chest down to his thigh were the legacy of the tackle.
Bearing that in mind, it would take an extremely speedy recovery for the Scotsman to be ready by Saturday.
On the positive side of things, Jewell was pleased with the way the reshuffled forward line operated against Crewe. Liddell was busy on the wing and substitute Roberts brought the best out of Ellington while enjoying a fine game himself.
Another knock-on effect from the Crewe tussle is a one-match suspension for Tony Dinning.
The midfielder collected his fifth caution of the season for a rash challenge on Steve Jones and now misses the home game against Luton on March 15.
Former Leigh RMI forward Jones had to be stretchered off following Dinning's tackle and it was initially feared he had broken his leg. But an x-ray on Tuesday night discovered no more than heavy bruising around the bone.
It will be Dinning's second ban of the campaign having sat out three games in September for his sending-off at Colchester.
Meanwhile, Latics equalled another club record at Crewe, with the clean sheet being their 18th in the league this season.
The record was established during their first season in the Football League in 1978/79 and matched again in the 1985/6 campaign.
Article from the Wigan Evening Post.