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

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 2 Jul 2026, 02:41 PM

Sea Eagles five-eighth Luke Brooks will miss the rest of the 2026 season after scans confirmed he had ruptured his ACL during Saturday's win over the Storm.

Brooks was in obvious pain as he fell awkwardly into a 27th minute tackle by Trent Toelau but played on until half-time before being replaced by boom rookie Joey Walsh.

The 31-year-old playmaker will undergo surgery this week.

“It’s so disappointing for Brooksie. He’s been playing such good footy for us,” said coach Kieran Foran.

“We will put our full support around him through what will be a lengthy rehab.”

Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has had surgery on a fractured wrist suffered against the Warriors and is facing 4-6 weeks out.

He will target a return in Round 22 after the Dolphins' bye.

On a positive note for the Dolphins, prop Tom Gilbert returns after missing the Warriors game with a throat injury and centre Jake Averillo will play his first NRL game since Round 8 after recovering from hand surgery.

Wests Tigers skipper Jarome Luai is suffering delayed concussion symptoms after the game against the Knights and will miss Round 18.

Luai's teammate Taylan May suffered a dislocated shoulder for the third time this season as he tried to tackle Newcastle's Jermaine McEwen front-on

May dislocated his shoulder in Round 2 and again in Round 11 and could now he headed for surgery.

Souths winger Alex Johnston sustained a minor calf strain against the Eels and is expected to be sidelined for 2-3 weeks.

At the Broncos, Aublix Tawha has had surgery to repair a syndesmosis injury suffered against the Roosters and is expected to be sidelined for approximately five weeks. Back-rower Jack Gosiewski suffered fractured ribs against the Chooks and will return in Round 20.

Lock Xavier Willison has been named in the 19-man squad to face the Sharks, and the Broncos' medical team are liaising with the NRL regarding an exemption which would allow him to return to play inside the 11-day concussion stand-down period.

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins also failed a HIA in that match and will miss the Origin decider on July 8 as the 11-day concussion protocol won't finish until the day before Game Three and the Maroons chose not to risk him.

Fellow Rooster Angus Crichton has had surgery on his foot and has commenced rehabilitation.

Storm second-rower Ativalu Lisati will undergo surgery after sustaining a syndesmosis injury that forced him from the field during the second half of the Round 17 clash with Manly.

Lisati is expected to be sidelined for at least 6-8 weeks.

Centres Joe Chan (back spasms) and Moses Leo (concussion) also suffered injuries against the Sea Eagles.

Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz suffered a rib cartilage injury in his side's win over the Titans in Round 17.

The outside back picked up the injury late in the first half and returned for the second but left the game soon after and did not return.

"He did a rib cartilage in the first half," coach Cameron Ciraldo said. "It wasn't ideal. He got a needle at half-time but it didn't work. We've got the bye now so hopefully he can get himself right, get his body right for our next game."

The Warriors are set to be without prop Jackson Ford for 10-12 weeks after he tore his pectoral muscle against the Cowboys.

Should the Warriors progress past week one of the finals then Ford may be a chance of returning this season.

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