NRL 2024 health check: Inside every club’s pre-season casualty ward, round 1 starters

From round 1 hopefuls to suspended stars, we analyse every NRL club’s casualty ward and reveal return dates for injured stars. Check out the definitive NRL health check.

Stephen Crichton. Picture: David Swift

Canterbury backline stars Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz were on light duties during Tuesday’s morning training session with coach Cameron Ciraldo not taking any risks with the duo.

Crichton suffered a quad strain last week but isn’t expected to miss the season opener against Parramatta on Saturday March 9.

The former Penrith premiership winner spent time on Tuesday morning helping Canterbury’s second squad run skills drills.

Kiraz is easing back from a back injury and was mostly an observer during the session that also included running drills.

The young winger is rated as a 50-50 chance of taking the field in Canterbury’s first trial match against Melbourne at Belmore Oval in just over two weeks away.

NRL HEALTH CHECK: SCROLL DOWN TO EVERY CLUB’S CASUALTY WARD

Newcomer Connor Tracey looked fit and moved with ease. Tracey suffered an ankle injury in his final training session with Cronulla in early December right before making the switch to join Canterbury on a three-year deal. He’s on track for a round one return.

Backline utility Jaeman Salmon was spotted in a moon boot after picking up a minor shin injury but won’t be sidelined and will back into full training by the end of the week.

Kurt Mann has been put on a modified training program and ran separately to the main group on Tuesday.

The former Knights utility is recovering from bruised ribs after copping a whack at training but is not in doubt for the trials.

With the 2024 trials just over two weeks away, here is a look at your club’s health ahead of the pre-season challenge on Thursday February 15 when the Bulldogs take on the Melbourne Storm.

Originally published as NRL 2024 health check: Inside every club’s pre-season casualty ward, round 1 starters