NRL 2025, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership season

NRL Casualty Ward: Walsh in doubt for Origin; Butcher blow

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Mon 21 Apr 2025, 11:49 AM

Broncos superstar Reece Walsh is in doubt for Queensland selection in Origin I after suffering a knee injury in Saturday night's 20-18 loss to the Warriors.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire praised his fullback's toughness to play through the injury, however a medical assessment on Sunday suggested he would be out for up to six weeks.

"Reece has sustained a PCL injury and will undergo a scan early this week on return to Australia to understand the full extent," a Broncos statement said.

"At this stage, it’s expected he’ll miss 4-6 weeks, but the club will provide a further update later this week."

With the Origin series opener to be played at Suncorp Stadium on May 28, Walsh is unlikely to play again before the Maroons squad is selected even if returns after four weeks.

A six-week stint on the sideline may even jeopardise his chances of selection for Origin II in Perth on June 18.

Kiwi utility Phoenix Crossland is racing the clock to play for the Knights in Friday's Anzac Day clash with the Warriors in Christchurch after suffering an ankle injury against the Sharks.

Roosters forward Nat Butcher will be sent for scans after picking up a knee injury in the opening minutes of Saturday's clash with Penrith.

The prop lasted just 10 minutes before succumbing to a suspected MCL injury. He was ruled out of the remainder of the contest soon after, with scans required to determine the severity of the issue.

Penrith were also dealt a blow at half-time, with Luke Garner failing an HIA and ruled out for the rest of the match.

The Storm were dealt a blow early in Friday night's loss to the Dolphins with centre Jack Howarth suffering a dislocated shoulder.

The youngster picked up the injury while attempting to fend off a defender and instantly grimaced in pain. Howarth left the field immediately, with the diagnosis quickly confirmed. He later returned to the bench with ice on his shoulder.

Coach Craig Bellamy said the centre is facing an extended period on the sidelines.

"He'll be extended time [out], if he has an operation it could be the season," Bellamy said. "I think he'll try and rehab it, then see how it goes from there.

"I don't think it was out for too long so that's a plus. We'll see what the medical team think, they're thinking just to rehab it then try him again."

Prop Tui Kamikamica also picked up an ankle injury in the loss, with the forward to be sent for scans to determine the severity of the injury.

Howarth's injury came moments after Dolphins forward Max Plath left the field with a plantar fascia injury in his foot.

The Dolphins were dealt a further blow later in the contest, with Felise Kaufusi injuring his MCL midway through the second half. The forward left the field and did not return.

Talking post-game, Kaufusi said it's a grade one strain and does not expect to spend too much time on the sidelines.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has revealed hooker Harry Grant is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury.

The Melbourne skipper was named to play in the Good Friday clash against the Dolphins on Tuesday, but dropped out 24 hours before kick-off with the club reporting the Maroons and Kangaroos hooker had sustained an injury at training.

“He’s had a scan, they’re thinking 4-6 weeks,” Bellamy said on Fox League.

“It was pretty innocuous there yesterday at training, we were doing our captains run, it was pretty early he just sort of pulled up lame. He was pretty sore afterwards so he went for a scan and it unfortunately wasn’t great news.”

The time frame puts Grant in jeopardy of missing the opening State of Origin clash on May 28.

Parramatta have announced that second-rower Shaun Lane is taking time away from the game to consider his future.

Lane was named to play in Monday's NSW Cup match against Wests Magpies at Lidcombe Oval after being demoted along with Joe Ofahengaue and Ryan Matterson following last weekend's 50-12 loss to Canberra.

He has withdrawn from the match and the future of the 30-year-old forward is now unclear.

In a statement issued on Good Friday, the Eels said: "As a Club we are supporting him through this period".

Bulldogs rookie Jack Todd has suffered a small fracture in his right arm and is facing 8-10 weeks out.

Todd, who made his NRL debut three weeks ago against Cronulla, broke both arms last season and Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould confirmed the fracture was at the end of the plate that was inserted to repair a previous fracture.

The Titans lost Jayden Campbell (ankle) and David Fifita (hamstring) ahead of their clash with the Raiders.

Campbell sustained an ankle injury at training on Friday while Fifita was unable to overcome a minor hamstring strain.

Speaking after the match, coach Des Hasler provided an update on their returns.

"Dave's got a hamstring ... his initial diagnosis was a month," Hasler said.

"We had some bit of good news on JC, so we don't think he'll need an operation on his synosmosis, but he's still probably four or five weeks, for him to get that (right).

At 4 Pines Park on Thursday night the Dragons suffered a double blow with Mat Feagai (leg) and Hamish Stewart (concussion) failing to finish the game against Manly.

Feagai was on the end of a hip drop tackle that landed Toafofoa Sipley in the sin bin and looked to be in serious discomfort as he was helped from the field.

The Dragons confirmed on Friday morning that the winger suffering a fibula fracture and high-grade syndesmosis injury.

Feagai had surgery on Saturday, with a return-to-play timeline to be finalised after the operation.

Stewart has also been ruled out of the Anzac Day clash against the Roosters.

The Sea Eagles endured a tough night with Jake Trbojevic (concussion), Nathan Brown (shoulder), Tommy Talau (leg) and Ethan Bullemor (knee) all suffering injuries.

Trbojevic was ruled a Category 1 head knock and will miss the Round 8 clash against the Panthers.

Adding to Manly's woes is hooker Lachlan Croker who faces another month on the sideline after having another cleanout of his knee this week.

To view the complete NRL Casualty Ward, please visit the hub page.