Knights fullback Darius Boyd has been admitted to a mental health clinic in order to seek treatment for depression.
There is no timeframe on when the Kangaroos and Maroons star is expected to return to football, with Newcastle CEO Matt Gidley declaring Boyd's well-being the club's only focus at the moment.
"We are ensuring Darius gets the best possible care and treatment at this time," Gidley said.
"Depression is a serious illness in our society and we are pleased Darius has taken the first step in his recovery by acknowledging he needs help.
"Football is secondary at this point, it is important Darius' focus is entirely on his treatment."
Knights mentor Wayne Bennett, who has been compared to a father-like figure for Boyd and is the only coach the fullback has known in his nine seasons of first-grade, said Boyd was no certainty to play again in 2014, but that he had made the right decision in seeking help.
"I am pleased for Darius that he has recognised he has a problem, it is a self-admission one and he booked himself into rehab this morning," Bennett said.
"He's always had different little issues, but no more than I've noticed in the past.
"I've always had a close relationship and good communication with him, but late last week he started to talk more about it… and he realised he needed to get some professional help.
"You have to make the first admission yourself, he has probably been fighting that for the last few months.
"Were there absolutely certain signs? No. Were there some signs? Yes.
"Darius has been working with counsellors for quite a period of time."
The news comes amid revelations Boyd had footed a bill for more than $1500 worth of damage to a luxury Hunter Valley hotel room he had stayed in last week.
News Limited reported on Wednesday morning that staff at the exclusive spa resort The Vintage had found a smashed television, broken glass and a hole in one of the walls of an apartment Boyd had stayed in during a break from club commitments last week.
It was reported Boyd covered the damage and apologised after checking out last Thursday.
The Knights have announced 18-year-old debutant Sione Mata'utia will replace Boyd at fullback against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
Anyone experiencing depression or seeking further information can contact Beyond Blue’s 24 hour helpline on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
