NRL Casualty Ward: Bulldogs star Jacob Preston suffers jaw fracture, Jai Arrow sets 2024 return date

The Bulldogs have suffered a major injury blow, with the club’s 2023 Player of the Year ruled out for a month with a fractured jaw, while Jai Arrow provided an ambitious return date.

Jai Arrow.

Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston will miss the next month of football after playing in Good Friday’s loss to the Rabbitohs with a broken jaw.

In a major blow to Canterbury’s stocks, scans have revealed the Bulldogs 2023 Player of The Year suffered the injury during a sickening collision with Souths prop Shaquai Mitchell.

Preston was stunned by the spectacular collision, left prone on the Accor Stadium turf before being helped from the field by the Bulldogs medical staff five minutes into the second half.

It appeared certain that Preston’s day was over due to concussion fears and how long he lay motionless on the turf.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo praised the courage of the 22-year-old.

“It’s another indication of Jacob’s willingness to never let down his teammates or the Bulldogs jersey,’’ Ciraldo said.

“He made a decision that he was going to push through the pain with an injury that we only learned the full extent of on Saturday morning.

Jacob Preston will miss at least 3 weeks after suffering a fractured jaw (via @proshenks).

Went off after this collision & returned after passing HIA. Reportedly only a hairline fracture, usual return to play range for jaw fractures is 4-8 weeks. No word on if surgery required. pic.twitter.com/ALvDJUshq9

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 30, 2024

Jacob Preston (ground) returned to the field after suffering a jaw fracture. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“It says a lot about the character Jacob has and what we love about him.”

In what surprised commentators and fans, Preston emerged from the tunnel in the 58th minute and having passed his HIA and played out the game. He finished the match with 35 tackles – with only teammates Reed Mahoney and Max King making more for the Bulldogs.

It was only after the match that Preston spoke of the intense pain in his jaw, leading to scans being taken on Saturday morning, where a hairline fracture was revealed.

Preston’s unavailability will lead to Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo considering either Josh Curran, Jaeman Salmon or Kitione Kautoga into the second-row. If Salmon shifts from lock then Curran might start in the middle of the field.

The injury has been compounded by the likely suspension of Kurtis Morrin for at least two weeks after being charged by the match review committee for a dangerous throw on Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray.

Kurtis Morrin will likely be suspended following an ugly tackle of Cameron Murray. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Morrin was sin-binned for the lifting tackle which put Murray into a dangerous position.

In addition to being without Preston and Morrin for a Friday night clash with the Roosters, is the loss of winger Josh Addo-Carr due to a mandatory 11-day stand down period after he too was left motionless during the game after collecting the hip of South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell.

Mitchell has been charged for his tackle which led to Addo-Carr being ruled out of Good Friday’s clash at halftime.

INJURED RABBITOH SETS SHOCK RETURN DATE

South Sydney forward Jai Arrow insists he is on target for a round eight return from a shoulder injury as he looks to delay surgery to help the ailing Rabbitohs get their season back on track.

Arrow hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder against Manly in Las Vegas and there were reports this week that he was unlikely to be back this year.

Arrow, however, says the timetable for his return remains on track as he looks to make his comeback against the Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day.

“I saw there were reports I was going under the knife but that is not the case,” Arrow said.

“I am looking at a round eight return. That is where I have aimed for and I am on track for it. No problem with my rehab so far. It is strong, I have good range.

“I eventually will have to go under the knife. It is just depending on how long I last. More than likely it will be at the end of the year.

“Rehab it as best I can, get it strong, and then return for round eight, and that will be it from there until I physically have to go for surgery.”

Jai Arrow has set himself an ambitious return date after delaying surgery. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Arrow has been a key figure in the Souths forward pack in recent seasons and they have sorely missed him through the opening four rounds.

In his absence, the Rabbitohs have struggle and the pressure valve was only released on Friday afternoon as they secured their first win of the year, a tense victory over the Bulldogs.

Arrow watched that game from the sidelines but is intent on getting back into the action as soon as humanly possible.

“I have never heard of the injury before,” Arrow said.

“It is something to do with the tendon in my rotator cuff. It is a bit of a weird one. I think the only thing that can happen is my tendon can retract.

“I am not too worried about that anyway. I just want it give myself every chance to at least try to play considering it is early in the season.

“I knew if I didn’t at least give myself a chance to play the rest of the year out, I would have regretted it. So I am giving myself every chance to get back in round eight and I will be right from then.”

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward: Bulldogs star Jacob Preston suffers jaw fracture, Jai Arrow sets 2024 return date