NRL Injury Hub: Bulldogs recruit ahead of initial timeline

The NRL season is officially underway.

But already, there are several stars who are battling injuries that could impact their team's performance in 2026.

After an initial return date of Round 10, it appears that Leo Thompson could be closer to making his club debut for the Bulldogs.

Following a post on X from GM of Football, Phil Gould, the club believes that he is on track for a Round 7 return.

Wests Tigers' co-captain Jarome Luai is set to miss four weeks with a knee injury.

Parramatta forward J'Maine Hopgood has suffered a suspected ACL injury in Round 4 against the Dragons, after an alleged hip drop from Dragons' forward Ryan Couchman.

Hopgood only managed nine minutes in the match before being forced from the field, having been pushed back to the bench to start the match.

See your club's injury list below.

After suffering a rib injury during their loss against the Eels, Adam Reynolds will miss their Grand Final rematch against the Storm.

He's expected to be fit to captain the Broncos in the Battle of Brisbane clash against the Dolphins.

Reynolds wasn't the only one to pick up an injury during Brisbane's clash against Parramatta. Jack Gosiewski has been ruled out for their Round 3 match after failing a HIA.

Billy Walters will miss most of 2026 as he recovers from his ACL reconstruction following the Broncos' qualifying final win. With this year being the last year of his contract, the pressure will be on the five-eighth to hit the ground running for a contract renewal.

Injury List

• Billy Walters (ACL)
• Adam Reynolds (rib)
• Jack Gosiewski (concussion)

England representative Matty Nicholson will miss the majority of the season after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Green Machine's clash against the Sea-Eagles.

After having surgery, the club has estimated his recovery time to be between three and five months.

Injury List

• Matty Nicholson (shoulder)

New signing Leo Thompson was initially set to be out for 10 weeks with a calf strain. But GM of Football, Phil Gould, has come out saying that the Kiwi is on track to be available from Round 7 onwards. The injury was initially detected just before the NRL All-Stars game, with scans later showing it to be a Grade 3.

19-year-old Mitch Woods will become available from Round 4 at the earliest after picking up a minor hamstring injury in late January.

After signing with the club in August, Kade Dykes will have to wait until April (Round 6 at the earliest) before he’s available for selection with his new club. The former Cronulla fullback has been suffering from a ruptured patellar tendon.

Jethro Rinakama will likely miss the start of the season as he still recovers from his shoulder reconstruction. The winger suffered the injury while representing Fiji during the Pacific Championship. His return date will be between April and May, as per Gould.

Harry Hayes and Jake Turpin have also been placed on the club's injury list. Both suffered concussions during the week. Hayes would do so in the club's NRL match while Turpin suffered a head knock in a NSW Cup game.

Injury List

• Leo Thompson (calf)
• Mitchell Woods (hamstring
• Kade Dykes (knee)
• Jethro Rinakama (shoulder)
• Harry Hayes (concussion)
• Jake Turpin (concussion)

Sustaining an ACL injury during Cronulla’s hot finish to the home and away season, club captain Cam McInnes is doing all that he can to get back on the park. With his recovery going smoothly, a return date of May (Round 9 at the soonest) is on track.

Ronaldo Mulitalo will also miss most of the season as he also recovers from his ruptured ACL, which he sustained during the Pacific Championships for New Zealand.

Mawene Hiroti has been under an injury cloud following their last pre-season match, having been pulled out of the extended bench with a knee injury.

Having had a broken nose in the Sharks' loss to the Dolphins, Briton Nikora will now miss the club's match against Canberra.

Injury List

• Cameron McInnes (ACL)
• Ronaldo Mulitalo (ACL)
• Mawene Hiroti (knee)
• Briton Nikora (nose)

Having come oh so close to making the finals in the last two seasons, Kristan Woolf will be hoping for a much kinder injury run in 2026 to help get them into the top eight.

The former St Helens coach will be expecting to have prop Daniel Saifiti ready in the not so distant future. The prop has not played a game since his shoulder injury against the Raiders back in Round 8 last year.

Kurt Donoghoe has had his return date listed for Round 4 following an issue with his hamstring.

The depth in their forward pack will continue to build as the season progresses, with Jeremy Marshall-King and Jack Bostock all expected to return from knee injuries in the first half of the season.

While 20-year-old LJ Nonu is on track to be available for selection from Round 4 after a PCL injury during the pre-season.

Tom Flegler is set to make his return against the Broncos after missing the Dolphins' win against the Sharks.

The 26-year-old was out with a rib injury.

Injury List

• Daniel Saifiti (shoulder)
• LJ Nonu (knee)
• Kurt Donoghoe (hamstring)
• Jeremy Marshall-King (knee)
• Jack Bostock (knee)
• Tom Flegler (ribs)

As they begin a new era under coach Josh Hannay, the Gold Coast Titans are keen on getting to a good start. And while there is plenty of optimism around the squad, they still have some injuries to contend with.

Already, they’ve lost prop Jaimin Jolliffe for the season from an ACL rupture.

Second rower Brock Gray will likely be available in the early parts of the season after doing his ACL during the 2025 season.

Injury List

• Brock Gray (ACL)
• Jaimin Jolliffe (knee)

As the Sea-Eagles enter a post-DCE era, they’ll be doing so with various players sidelined throughout the 2026 season.

Caleb Navale will be battling to feature in the maroon and white after sustaining an ACL injury during pre-season. At this stage, the lock is expected to return in the final two rounds.

Aaron Schoupp is expected to be fit and firing from April after his ACL injury.

Siosiua Taukeiaho will next feature for the Sea-Eagles towards the end of the month following a calf injury in the side's golden point loss to Canberra.

Nathan Brown will miss the side's Round 4 clash against the Roosters with an illness.

Injury List

• Aaron Schoupp (ACL)
• Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf)
• Caleb Navale (ACL)
• Nathan Brown (illness)

Star winger Xavier Coates suffered an Achilles injury in the Storm's Grand Final loss, which saw him wear a moon boot after the match. His recovery from the injury has not gone according to plan, which now means he'll miss the first three months of the season. That puts his return date to approximately Round 10 at the earliest.

Following his significant concussions against New Zealand while representing Tonga, which resulted in a brain bleed, Eliesa Katoa will not play in the 2026 season.

Shawn Blore is also likely to make his return within the next two weeks after copping an ankle injury during the pre-season.

After suffering a bicep injury, Marion Seve will be out for the end of April.

While Ativalu Lisati is out until Round 7 after picking up a calf injury during training.

Injury List

• Eliesa Katoa (concussion)
• Xavier Coates (Achilles)
• Shawn Blore (ankle)
• Ativalu Lisati (calf)
• Marion Seve (bicep)

Newcastle junior Jye Linnane, who signed with the Warriors for the next three years, is set to be available for selection. The 20-year-old ruptured his ACL last pre-season and will be raring to go.

Another player raring to go for his return will be Luke Metcalf. The halfback was leading the Dally M Medal before going down with an ACL injury, which saw the Warriors struggle. Having been on track for a Round 8-10 return, he's been named in the Round 4 side.

Centre Rocco Berry is aiming for a return from his shoulder injury halfway through the season.

Five-eighth Te Maire Martin is now expected to be out for the first half of the season, which has deepened the issues facing the Warriors' halves situation.

After hurting his right ankle in the NRL All-Stars match, it's been confirmed that he has broken his leg, with an expected return during Round 10 to 11.

Both Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad are out against the Knights due to concussions.

They would be joined by Morgan Gannon, who suffered a concussion during his NRL debut against the Knights.

Picking up a calf injury during the warm-ups against the Raiders last week, Kurt Capewell should be available by the Warriors' Round 6 clash against the Storm.

Injury List

• Te Maire Martin (ankle)
• Jye Linnane (knee)
• Luke Metcalf (ACL)
• Rocco Berry (shoulder)
• Chanel Harris-Tavita (concussion)
• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion)
• Morgan Gannon (concussion)
• Kurt Capewell (calf)

Following his electric performance in the first 25 minutes of the Knights' season-opening win against the Cowboys, club officials and fans were sweating on the severity of Fletcher Sharpe's knee injury.

But having only suffered a PCL injury, he'll only miss the Knights clash against the Sea-Eagles.

Their spine has also been weakened by the losses of Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown, who will be out for six to eight weeks and four weeks, respectively.

Brodie Jones will be out for the next two months with a foot injury

Injury List

• Fletcher Sharpe (knee)
• Dylan Brown (MCL)
• Kalyn Ponga (hamstring)
• Brodie Jones (foot)

With Todd Payten firmly in the hot seat for 2026, the pressure is on the Cowboys to make the most of a very talented list. And that pressure has only increased following their loss to last year's wooden spooners in the Knights and against the Tigers.

From their Vegas adventure, Tom Mikaele suffered a knee injury following a dangerous tackle by Newcastle's Tyson Frizell. He's expected to return in Round 4.

Second rower and Queensland representative Jeremiah Nanai will follow suit with his own shoulder injury. His return to the team will be in April.

John Bateman also remains a watch for the club. Having been pulled out of the pre-season match against the Panthers with a wrist injury, the Englishman is yet to play a match in 2026.

Injury List

• Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder)
• Tom Mikaele (knee)
• John Bateman (wrist)

Following a strong finish to Jason Ryles’ first season in charge, the Eels will be hoping to build upon their 2025 foundation in 2026.

While there were plenty of positives out of their win against the Dragons, the news of J'Maine Hopgood's season coming to an end, having suffered an ACL tear, put somewhat of a dampener on the result.

The club also confirmed that Samoan representative Ronald Volkman will return from his quad injury by Round 4.

Will Penisini is set to miss the next month with what the club describes as an adductor related groin pain.

Arthur Miller-Stephen will also hopefully be in contention for a spot in 2026 after having torn his ACL last April.

Jordan Samrani is set to have surgery on his knee, which will see him miss at least six weeks.

Injury List

• Will Penisini (groin)
• Arthur Miller-Stephen (ACL)
• Ronald Volkman (quad)
• Jordan Samrani (knee)
• J'Maine Hopgood (ACL)

Having remained uninjured throughout the majority of the pre-season, the Panthers have picked up a couple of injuries at the start of the season.

Prop Liam Henry will be out till at least Round 6 after sustaining a knee injury during Penrith's pre-season training.

Playing a role off the bench for the Panthers, half Jack Cogger is out with a concussion.

Injury List

• Liam Henry (knee)
• Jack Cogger (concussion)

Despite a positive start to the season, the Bunnies were quickly ravaged by injuries throughout 2025. And the injuries have continued to pile up in 2026.

Yet to make his NRL debut, 23-year-old five-eighth/halfback Jonah Glover will now need surgery on his jaw, which was broken whilst trying to tackle Luciano Leilua. The former Dragon will now be sidelined for eight weeks.

Talanoa Penitani will also be out for eight weeks. The centre would tear his right ACL during their pre-season win against St George Illawarra.

Centre Isaiah Tass is likely to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his ACL during the off-season while playing in the Murri Carnival.

Into his second season for the green and red, Brandon Smith will have a delayed start to the season, having confirmed that he has a calf strain. New signing Adam Elliott is also in the same boat, having suffered a calf injury as well.

Jai Arrow has been ruled out for at least the next month following nerve issues within his shoulder.

After being named as the starting No. 7 in their season opener, Ashton Ward will now be sidelined for the next eight weeks following a syndesmosis injury that requires surgery.

Having picked up a shoulder injury in their loss to the Roosters, Campbell Graham is expected to be sidelined until Round 5.

Injury List

• Adam Elliott (calf)
• Jonah Glover (jaw)
• Brandon Smith (calf)
• Talanoa Penitani (hamstring)
• Isaiah Tass (ACL)
• Jai Arrow (shoulder)
• Ashton Ward (syndesmosis)
• Campbell Graham (shoulder)

Second-rower Dylan Egan should be back playing in the Red V by Round 10 after his hamstring injury.

Wing/centre Nathan Lawson is still on the mend after sustaining a foot injury.

Suffering a head knock in their loss to the Eels, Toby Couchman will now miss their Round 4 clash against the Titans.

The club are yet to announce a timeline on when Connor Muhleisen will return after the hooker ruptured his ACL in the club’s NSW Cup grand final last year.

Dragons' forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga has been taken to the hospital following a neck injury suffered during training.

He'll now undergo scans to find out the severity of the injury.

Injury List

• Toby Couchman (concussion)
• Nathan Lawson (foot)
• Dylan Egan (ACL)
• Connor Muhleisen (ACL)
• Loko Pasifiki Tonga (neck)

Looking to make their 10th finals series in a row, the Tricolours will be hoping to stay clear of as many injuries as possible.

Wing/centre Tommy Talau injured his knee last during their NSW Cup match against the Warriors, despite not making contact. A timeline for his return has been set for Round 4.

NSW representative Spencer Leniu won't be playing his first match until April after picking up a hamstring injury during the team warm-up.

Rex Bassingthwaighte is yet to have a return date set after fracturing his wrist.

Suffering getting a concussion after having an accident on an e-bike before their Round 2 match, Billy Smith is once again available after leaving concussion protocols.

Junior Tupou is out until Round 7 with an ankle injury.

Injury List

• Spencer Leniu (hamstring)
• Tommy Talau (knee)
• Rex Bassingthwaighte (wrist)
• Junior Tupou (ankle)
• Billy Smith (concussion)

After injuring his shoulder in the side’s final game of the season against the Titans, Latu Fainu required a full reconstruction in the off-season, which will see him miss the early rounds of the season.

Having suffered a bone stress injury in his left foot, Starford To'a is out for an indefinite period.

Following a shoulder injury during the Tigers' win against North Queensland, Taylan May is set to miss the next eight weeks.

Jarome Luai will also be sidelined after injuring his knee against the Rabbitohs. He'll miss the next four weeks.

Injury List

• Latu Fainu (shoulder)
• Jarome Luai (knee)
• Taylan May (shoulder)
• Starford To’a (foot)