NRL Round 7 Casualty Ward: Stars struck down by hamstring injuries

Daly Cherry-Evans’ hopes of captaining Queensland are on a knife-edge with the Manly star to be sidelined for up to six weeks with an ankle injury — plus NRL Physio analyses the latest injury news from around the competition.

Brisbane-based physiotherapist Brien Seeney, AKA NRL Physio, reviews the injuries from Round 7 of the NRL.

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has been ruled out for between four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Cherry-Evans sustained the ankle syndesmosis eight minutes into the second half of Manly’s win over Canberra on Sunday.

Sea Eagles officials confirmed on Monday that Cherry-Evans would spend at least a month on the sideline, leaving the halfback in a race to be fit for State of Origin I in Brisbane on June 5.

Should Cherry-Evan miss five to six weeks, he would be unavailable for the Maroons.

The injury is a crippling blow to Manly with coach Des Hasler now searching for a replacement No.7 to contest this week’s big match against Canterbury on Saturday.

It’s understood Cherry-Evans may seek further clarification over the injury by visiting a specialist tomorrow.

— Dean Ritchie

Daly Cherry-Evans faces a stint on the sideline with an ankle injury. Picture: Getty Images

Gun Knights centre Jesse Ramien failed to finish the game against Parramatta with a shoulder injury.

Ramien suffered the injury following a slightly late hit from Eels winger Maika Sivo after passing the ball.

Api Koroisau and Jorge Taufua both suffered calf strains in the win over Canberra, fortunately the injuries are believed to be minor on first thought.

Meanwhile Canberra winger Jordan Rapana suffered a suspected rib injury while making a stunning try-saving tackle on Taufua.

Rapana attempted to play on with the injury but left the field immediately after taking a run despite the pain.

Roosters hooker Jake Friend is expected to miss the next three to four months after suffering a ruptured biceps on Anzac Day.

Friend appeared to suffer the injury midway through the second half, but after going up the tunnel and having his elbow strapped he was able to return and play an important role in the Roosters’ victory.

His tackle on Matt Dufty late in the game forced the ball loose which resulted in the game-sealing try to Sio Siua Taukeiaho. Friend was able to dislodge the ball with the arm he had earlier suffered a biceps rupture in. That’s amazing toughness.

Friend will visit a specialist next week to decide if surgery is necessary, and unfortunately in these cases it almost always is. Friend appeared to suffer a rupture of his distal biceps tendon, which is where the biceps muscle attaches near the elbow. A rupture at this location causes significant losses in strength with bending and rotating the arm, which would make activities such as tackling and passing extremely difficult.

Jake Friend faces a long stint on the sidelines with a biceps injury. Picture: Getty Images

There have been instances in the past of NRL players opting against surgery for bicep ruptures; this is quite common if the rupture is to the proximal tendon (the tendon that attaches near the shoulder). There are two biceps tendons at the proximal (shoulder) end, so if one is ruptured players can often opt for a strengthening rehab program and regain strength over four to six weeks while they have support of the one intact tendon. Unfortunately at the distal (elbow) end there is only a single tendon that provides an attachment point for the biceps muscle, so if this is torn maintaining strength and function is much more difficult. There have been isolated cases of NFL players delaying surgery until the off-season even with a distal biceps rupture, however the game demands for them is vastly different to Friend who is often required to make 50 tackles and handle the ball constantly.

If as expected Friend does undergo surgery, most NRL players aim for a return at 12 weeks, which can push out to 16 weeks if rehab does not progress as well as hoped. There have been some athletes in contact sports able to achieve an early return at 10 weeks, so hopefully Friend’s rehab goes smoothly and he is back for the Roosters well before finals.

Dragons halfback Ben Hunt left the game early with what the Dragons later said was a suspected corked shoulder. It was something he had been playing with since the first half, but as the game wore on he found it more and more difficult to pass and move his arm so the Dragons opted to bring him from the field. The Dragons have since confirmed Hunt suffered a shoulder contusion (cork), and while this can be quite limiting initially and get more painful as it cools down, the recovery is usually short term. Hunt is expected to be fine for the Dragons’ Round 8 match.

Sharks halfback Shaun Johnson left the field in considerable pain after suffering a hamstring injury while sprinting after a Broncos player in the second half. Considering the speed at which he was moving and then the lack of function he showed while coming from the field (he had to be helped into the sheds by two trainers) there is certainly a concern he has suffered a moderate to severe strain.

* UPDATE: The Sharks confirmed on Monday that their marquee playmaker had suffered a hamstring strain in Saturday night’s loss to Brisbane. “He’s pretty down at the moment to be honest,” halfback Chad Townsend said of Johnson on Fox League’s’ NRL Tonight. “He had a scan in the last 24 hours and it looks like he’s going to miss a month of football which is disappointing for us because he’s a huge part of our team. “It is however best case scenario. There was fears that it could be a lot longer time on the sidelines so a month on the sideline and hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible.”

Shaun Johnson has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Picture: AAP

Cronulla fullback Josh Dugan also suffered a hamstring injury in his last movement during the warm up. As he pushed through a tackling pad he “felt his hamstring go”, although early the hope is that it is only a minor issue. It is tough to return in 7 days from even the most minor hamstring strains, so Dugan may be looking at another game on the sidelines even in a best-case scenario.

The hamstring injuries keep coming, with Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ruled out for the Warriors this week due to a hamstring strain. He is another that signs point to only a minor issue, as he was able to complete some training leading up to the Warriors’ Anzac Day game. Would not expect an extended absence, but considering the high incidence and high recurrence rate of hamstring strains this isn’t an injury to push for an early return.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was ruled out of the Warriors’ clash with Melbourne. Picture: AAP

Wests Tigers five-eighth Josh Reynolds was stood on by his own teammate in the first half. This caused his knee to collapse in, and while he tried to play on momentarily (even attempting a few one-legged tackles) he was forced to come from the field for further assessment. During the latter stages of the first half the reports were that Reynolds had suffered a suspected MCL sprain, and the Tigers were hopeful with strapping he would be able to return after half time. However vision of Reynolds testing his knee out on the sidelines after half-time showed he was quite restricted with his movements, and he was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the game. Despite this the fact the Tigers medical staff had some confidence that he may have been able to return suggests initial assessment showed only a minor sprain. If this is confirmed return to play can often be achieved in one to three weeks, with a moderate sprain pushing this out to three to six weeks. Hopefully scans come back with positive news for Reynolds.

Josh Reynolds has his injured knee assessed by a trainer. Picture: AAP

Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo was named on an extended bench this week as he continues his rehab from a grade three (complete rupture) MCL injury, but ultimately was ruled out in the Cowboys final training run. A return this week would have been a 5 week return to play, which has been done before in the NRL. Sam Burgess in 2012 suffered a reported grade 3 MCL injury and returned 5 weeks later. Most in the NRL tend to return in 6-8 weeks which along with Taumalolo’s training reports suggest that he should be fit to return in the next 1-2 weeks.

Unlike the recurring issues we have seen players deal with returning from hamstring injuries, MCL injuries are much easier to assess for re-injury risk on return to play. The MCL is a ligament in the knee that is very important for lateral, or side to side, stability. So a return before that stability has been regained can pose an increased injury risk. But the good news is there are specific tests the medical and performance staff use to assess the function and stability of the knee in many different scenarios. So if Taumalolo is cleared to return it will be because he has passed this rigorous testing, meaning the medical staff are happy with the stability of his knee and therefore the minimal re-injury risk.

Jason Taumalolo is closing in on a return from a knee injury. Picture: Evan Morgan

There have been reports that Bulldogs five-eighth Kieran Foran is well ahead of schedule with his recovery from surgery on a syndesmosis injury. While the Bulldogs initially estimated a 10-12 week recovery, there is some suggestion Foran is hoping to return during the NRL Magic Round in two weeks. This would be a six-week return to play, which would be the earliest return from this type of surgery seen in the NRL in recent years. Roosters forward Boyd Cordner was able to return from the same surgery after seven weeks in 2013, but most in the NRL require eight to 10 weeks before they are able to play. This is an injury which varies from person to person, so hopefully Foran’s is one that has allowed for quick healing and he can return safely within the next month.

Kieran Foran is eyeing an early return from injury. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Dale Copley (Titans) and Alex Glenn (Broncos) both came from the field after suffering thigh contusions (cork). While this can be extremely painful and limit function in the short term (the common term used is “dead-leg”) this is usually able to be treated successfully within a week. The most severe of contusions can cause 2-3 weeks on the sideline, but both players have a very good chance of returning in Round 8.

Warriors forward Jazz Tevaga suffered a calf strain on Anzac Day. There have been no reports on the severity of the injury at this stage, with a general recovery guide for calf strains being:

Grade 1: 1-3 weeks

Grade 2: 3-6 weeks

Grade 3: 6+ weeks

Luke Keary (Roosters), Luke Garner (Tigers) and Daniel Alvaro (Eels) were all ruled out this week after suffering concussions in Round 6. Concussion symptoms can be unpredictable; they can be delayed, intermittent (come and go) and vary in nature/severity. Each concussion case is different and must be treated as such. While it is more than likely their absences were a precaution with the short turnaround between their Round 6 and Round 7 games, it will be worth monitoring the news coming out of their clubs next week.

BRONCOS

Alex Glenn (Thigh, TBC)

BULLDOGS

Dylan Napa (Syndesmosis, Round 9-11)

Kieran Foran (Ankle, Round 16)

Sauaso Sue (Suspension, Round 8)

COWBOYS

Nene MacDonald (Ankle, Round 21-season)

Jason Taumalolo (Knee, Round 8-12)

Kyle Feldt (Groin, Round 6-7)

DRAGONS

Korbin Sims (Arm, Round 10-12)

Gareth Widdop (Shoulder, Indefinite)

Jack de Belin (Stood down, Indefinite)

Ben Hunt (Corked shoulder, Round 8)

EELS

Dylan Brown (Back, indefinite)

Nathan Brown (Pectoral, Round 14)

Will Smith (Broken arm, Round 8)

Kaysa Pritchard (Personal leave, Indefinite)

Stefano Utoikamanu (Ankle, Round 9)

Daniel Alvaro (Concussion, TBC)

KNIGHTS

Slade Griffin (Knee, Indefinite)

Jacob Saifiti (Leg, Indefinite)

Aidan Guerra (Ankle, Round 20-23)

Kurt Mann (Sternum, Round 8)

Nathan Ross (Foot, Retired)

Jesse Ramien (Shoulder, TBC)

PANTHERS

Dean Whare (Hamstring, Round 10-11)

Sam McKendry (Knee, Indefinite)

Tyrone May (Stood Down, Indefinite)

Frank Winterstein (Knee, Round 8-10)

RABBITOHS

Greg Inglis (Shoulder, Retired)

Adam Doueihi (Knee, TBC)

Braidon Burns (Hamstring, Round 9-11)

Cory Denniss (shoulder, round 20)

RAIDERS

Brad Abbey (Knee, Round 8-10)

Joseph Tapine (Ankle, Round 17-19)

Jordan Rapana (Ribs, TBC)

ROOSTERS

Brett Morris (Knee, Round 8)

Ryan Hall (Knee, Round 8)

Luke Keary (Concussion, TBC)

Isaac Liu (Finger, Round 8)

Jake Friend (Biceps, Round 19-22)

SHARKS

Aaron Woods (Foot, Round 16)

Matt Moylan (Hamstring, Round 10)

Wade Graham (Knee, Round 9-12)

Briton Nikora (Suspension, Round 8)

Shaun Johnson (Hamstring, TBC)

Josh Dugan (Hamstring, TBC)

SEA EAGLES

Addin Fonua-Blake (Suspension, Round 8)

Dylan Walker (Stood down, Indefininte)

Tom Trbojevic (Hamstring, Round 12)

Albert Hopoate (ACL, Season)

Daly Cherry-Evans (Ankle, TBC)

Api Koroisau (Calf, TBC)

Jorge Taufua (Calf, TBC)

STORM

Scott Drinkwater (Pectoral, Round 8-12)

Tom Eisenhuth (Throat, Indefinite)

TIGERS

Benji Marshall (Hamstring, Round 8)

Chris Lawrence (Broken jaw, Round 8)

Luke Garner (Concussion, TBC)

Josh Reynolds (Knee, TBC)

TITANS

Nathan Peats (Pectoral, Round 16)

AJ Brimson (Thumb, Round 8-11)

Jarrod Wallace (Facing suspension, Round 8)

Keegan Hipgrave (Back, TBC)

Ryan James (ACL, season)

Dale Copley (Thigh, TBC)

WARRIORS

David Fusitu’a (Ribs, TBC)

Blake Green (Groin, Round 8)

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Hamstring, TBC)

Solomone Kata (Personal, TBC)

Jazz Tevaga (Calf, TBC)