NRL 2026, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership season

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 17 May 2026, 09:37 PM

Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out of Origin I due to a back injury but the Blues are set to get a boost in Game II with the return of Payne Haas.

Mitchell advised NSW coach Laurie Daley and South Sydney officials that he was not 100 per cent fit and did not want to let down his state or club, so he would be unavailable for both the Rabbitohs' Round 12 clash and Origin One.

Mitchell missed the Round 10 loss to the Sharks and did not appear to stretch out freely in his return to the field at Magic Round. He left the field with seven minutes left to play against the Dolphins.

Haas is also unavailable with a MCL tear in his right leg but Broncos coach Michael Maguire said he was set to return in Round 13, along with Cook Islands secondrower Brendan Piakura (LCL/hamstring).

"We are hoping he will play, Brenie should be back and Grant Anderson," he said.

Meanwhile, Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd has suffered a suspected ACL injury in the opening minutes of the Magic Round clash with the Broncos.

Boyd suffered the injury as he stepped off his right foot while the Warriors were attacking Brisbane's line and immediately pulled up before engaging with the defensive line.

The in-form playmaker, who recently re-signed with the Warriors, was close to tears as he hobbled from the field.

With Dragons-bound halfback Luke Metcalf given the week off while he resolved his playing future, Te Maire Martin replaced Boyd.

Knights centre Bradman Best is also unavailable for Blues selection due to a calf injury suffered at training ahead of the Magic Round clash with the Titans.

Best last played Origin in 2024 when he scored a decisive try for the Blues in the series decider in Brisbane.

The Titans were dealt a blow during the first half of Sunday's match with forward Chris Randall failing an HIA and ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers were dealt a blow ahead of their Magic Round clash with the Sea Eagles with Alex Twal succumbing to a knee injury and then lost centre Taylan May to a shoulder injury late in the match.

"It’s not good," coach Benji Marshall said after the game of May. "I think it dislocated, so again, he’ll have to get a scan, but it could be season-ending."

In the second game on Saturday, Cowboys winger Braidon Burns left the field mid-way through the second half with a hamstring injury.

Rooster winger Daniel Tupou was also off in the first half with a calf issue.

"I think Hugo [Savala] threw him the ball and he went to take off a second time and just felt his calf go there," Rooster coach Trent Robinson said after the game.

In Saturday's final game, Melbourne Storm winger Moses Leo left the field in the second half of the match against the Eels with a knee injury.

The Dolphins suffered a blow at half-time in their clash with Souths when playmaker Kodi Nikorima was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Nikorima had been one of the stars of the opening half with a try assist and two line break assists as the Dolphins set up a 20-0 lead.

"I don't think it's a bad one. I don't know what his chances are for next week but I certainly don't think he'll be out long-term," coach Kristian Woolf said of Nikorima.

The Dolphins went into the match without prop Francis Molo due to an ankle injury suffered in Round 10 against the Bulldogs.

Raiders forward Simi Sasagi is facing a stint on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury against the Panthers.

Sasagi has no structural damage to his shoulder but will require 4-6 weeks to recover before making a return to the field.

Dragons centre Moses Suli failed to finish Sunday's match against the Panthers due to back spasms.

Suli has battled back issues in recent weeks and was unable to see out the final game in Magic Round while Hamish Stewart also has back problems.

Outside back Tyrell Sloan was ruled out of the match due to a groin injury.

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