NSW Blues rocked by Dylan Edwards injury bombshell ahead of Origin opener

A Penrith Panthers star set to make his State of Origin debut has been dealt a cruel blow with an axed player waiting in the wings.

Edwards has a reported quad injury. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Former NSW Blues skipper James Tedesco could yet line up for his state in the State of Origin opener this week.

Tedesco has been placed on standby after Penrith Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards pulled up sore during the squad’s final training session.

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Edwards completed the session but reported tightness in his quad after doing a few extra drills following the end of the session.

Channel Nine rugby league reporter Danny Weidler dropped the bombshell on social media site X.

“Dylan Edwards possible quad injury, James Tedesco on standy,” Weidler wrote.

Journalist Brent Read and former NRL star Wade Graham discussed the development on radio.

“If Teddy has been put on standby that would suggest it is pretty significant and that they’ve got genuine concerns around Dylan Edwards and his ability to play on Wednesday night,” Read said on Triple M.

“It’s devastating for Edwards. You get selected, he’s worked so hard and been one of the best players in the competition for the last three or four years and picks up, even if it’s just a little niggle and still manages to get to the game, it’s disrupting to his preparation … it’s just not what you want after being on top of the world,” Graham said.

Edwards could miss the Origin opener. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Teddy is waiting in the wings. PICTURE: NRL PHOTOS

In better news for Blues fans, forward Liam Martin confirmed he was fighting fit while also saying Nicho Hynes was good to go.

Martin and Hynes didn’t train fully with the team on the first couple of days of Blues camp, but the back rower said he has since been able to complete a full training session.

The Penrith star also revealed the injury he had been dealing with.

“It’s feeling really good. I ticked a few boxes and feeling great,” Martin said Saturday morning.

“I trained fully the day before yesterday and it’s feeling really good.

“The (Blues) physios talked with Penrith and they just sort of worked out a plan to ease into the week and then be firing at the back end of the week … so I’m ready to go.

“It was a glute tear, grade 1-type of thing. They heal quickly so I’m fortunate there.”

“He’s looking really good. We warmed up together yesterday and then jumped into training. I think he’s oulled up really well so I think there’s no dramas with either of us.”

Martin is ready to go. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Blues star Stephen Crichton spoke about Hynes while also weighing into the ongoing debate surrounding who will take conversion kicks for the Blues.

Crichton is in the running, as is Hynes provided he’s fit enough to. Zac Lomax, Dylan Edwards and Joseph Sua’ali’li have all impressed with the boot as well this season.

“He’s (Hynes) a lot more confident and he’s ready to go. He did a lot more kicking the other day and it looked like there’s nothing wrong with him so he’s sweet,” Crichton said.

“We did a goalkicking session the other day and there were like six of us goalkicking.

“There are a lot of good goalkickers (in the team) so whoever does get it will do a good job.

“I don’t mind doing it but even if I don’t, it just narrows down my focus.”

The State of Origin opener will take place at Accor Stadium, Sydney on Wednesday, June 5.

Originally published as NSW Blues rocked by Dylan Edwards injury bombshell ahead of Origin opener