With the NRL season nearly upon us, all 17 teams are hoping for a clean bill of health.

But already, there are several stars who are battling injuries that could impact their team's performance in 2026.

The NRL's Vegas season opener has caused injury havoc, with three teams playing in the event facing ramifications.

For Newcastle, Fletcher Sharpe exited the game early after suffering a non-contact knee concern.

The Knights are confident it isn’t a season-ending ACL injury to Sharpe, however, there are still concerns the injury could rule Sharpe out for at least a third of the season, with scans to confirm.

A PCL or MCL injury seem likely for the Knights' five-eighth, which could keep him out for 4-8 weeks approximately.

Cowboys' prop Tom Mikaele also suffered a knee injury in the Cowboys v Knights clash, going down after enduring a cannonball tackle, with coach Todd Payten suggesting that the prop is expected to miss six weeks with a ruptured MCL sprain.

Cowboys' fullback Scott Drinkwater left the match early during the first half with a rib injury, however, was able to return with the help of injections.

Despite returning to the field, the fullback was in clear discomfort, with the extent of the damage to be confirmed.

In the Dragons v Bulldogs clash, debutant Setu Tu left the field early with cramps and did not return. Provided that cramps are all Tu was struggling with, he should be fit for the Dragons' Round 2 game.

There are also concerns for Valentine Holmes, who handed over goal kicking duties to Daniel Atkinson halfway through the Dragons' golden point loss.

While no confirmation on Holmes' injury yet, the centre did finish out the game and was taking attempts at field goal.

Holmes suffered a hamstring injury in January during pre-season training, but there's currently no indication anything he picked up in Vegas is related.

The Storm are the latest to confirm a huge blow with Xavier Coates set to undergo Achilles surgery and will be sidelined for a minimum of three months.

The Sydney Roosters have been dealt a massive blow with star recruit Reece Robson set to miss up to two months on the sideline. The NSW Origin hooker sustained a broken thumb on his left hand during training on Wednesday.

Warriors' halfback Te Maire Martin suffered a broken leg in the All-Stars clash, ruling him out for an extended period.

Martin will miss the next 10 weeks, compounding the Warriors' halves issue with Luke Metcalf not expected back until Round 7.

See your club's injury list below.

Billy Walters will miss most of 2026 as he recovers from his ACL reconstruction following the Broncos' qualifying final win. With this year being the last year of his contract, the pressure will be on the five-eighth to hit the ground running for a contract renewal.

Second-rower Brendan Piakura is expected to be fit by the Broncos’ Round 3 clash against the Storm following his meniscus tear, which required surgery.

After suffering a concussion in the first two minutes of the Broncos' 24-30 loss in the World Club Challenge, Corey Jensen will miss their clash against the Panthers as he follows HIA protocols.

Hayze Perham is also likely to be available for selection in 2026. The utility missed the entire 2025 season following his ACL injury during a pre-season match against the Gold Coast Titans.

Injury List

• Billy Walters (ACL)
• Brendan Piakura (knee)
• Corey Jensen (concussion)
• Hayze Perham (ACL)

Following Xavier Savage's return against Cronulla, the Raiders have a clean bill of health heading into their Round 1 clash against the Manly Sea-Eagles. The reigning minor premiers went out in straight sets last season becoming the first side since the Dragons in 2009 to do so after finishing first. They'll be hoping they can follow in their footsteps and lift the Provan-Summons Trophy the following season.

Injury List

• N/A

Bulldogs’ fans were fearing the worst when they saw footage of Matt Burton grabbing at his hamstring during their pre-season match against the Knights. But those concerns were quickly relieved as scans have since confirmed that the utility did not tear it. He's been selected as the starting five-eighth for their season opener against the Dragons.

New signing Leo Thompson is set to be out for 10 weeks with a calf strain. The injury was initally detected just before the All-Stars game with scans later showing it to be a Grade 3.

19-year-old Mitch Woods will become available from Round 4 at the earliest after picking up a minor hamstring injury in late January.

After signing with the club in August, Kade Dykes will have to wait until April (Round 5 at the earliest) before he’s available for selection with his new club. The former Cronulla fullback has been suffering from a ruptured patellar tendon.

Jethro Rinakama will likely miss the start of the season as he still recovers from his shoulder reconstruction. The winger suffered the injury while representing Fiji during the Pacific Championship. His return date will be between April and May, as per GM of Football, Phil Gould.

Finau Latu will not feature for the Bulldogs in their clash against the Cowboys.

Marcelo Montoya is also set to play in Round One after sustaining an ankle injury during the last game of the Bulldogs’ home and away season against the Sharks.

Injury List

• Matt Burton (hamstring)
• Leo Thompson (calf)
• Mitchell Woods (hamstring
• Kade Dykes (knee)
• Jethro Rinakama (shoulder)
• Marcelo Montoya (ankle)
• Finau Latu (unknown)

Sustaining an ACL injury during Cronulla’s hot finish to the home and away season, club captain Cam McInnes is doing all that he can to get back on the park. With his recovery going smoothly, a return date of May (Round 9 at the soonest) is on track.

Ronaldo Mulitalo will also miss most of the season as he also recovers from his ruptured ACL, which he sustained during the Pacific Championships for New Zealand.

He's not the only winger to have injury issues as Sione Katoa picked up a groin injury following the Sharks' 48-6 win against the Raiders. But despite worst fears, he's expected to play in Round 1.

Mawene Hiroti was the other injury concern following their last pre-season match having been pulled out of the extended bench with a knee injury.

Having missed the vast majority of the 2025 season going through rehab from his ACL, fullback Liam Ison is raring to go for the upcoming season as he looks for some consistent minutes in the NRL.

Injury List

• Cameron McInnes (ACL)
• Ronaldo Mulitalo (ACL)
• Liam Ison (ACL)
• Sione Katoa (groin)
• Mawene Hiroti (knee)

Having come oh so close to making the finals in the last two seasons, Kristan Woolf will be hoping for a much kinder injury run in 2026 to help get them into the top eight.

The former St Helens coach will be expecting to have prop Daniel Saifiti ready for their season opener against South Sydney after not playing a game since his shoulder injury against the Raiders back in Round 8.

The depth in their forward pack will continue to build as the season progresses, with Max Plath, Jeremy Marshall-King and Jack Bostock all expected to return from knee injuries in the first half of the season.

While 20-year-old LJ Nonu is on track to be available for selection from Round 4 after a PCL injury during the pre-season.

Injury List

• Daniel Saifiti (shoulder)
• LJ Nonu (knee)
• Max Plath (knee)
• Jeremy Marshall-King (knee)
• Jack Bostock (knee)

As they begin a new era under coach Josh Hannay, the Gold Coast Titans are keen on getting to a good start. And while their is plenty of optimism around the squad, they still have some injuries to contend with.

Already, they’ve lost prop Jaimin Jolliffe for the season from an ACL rupture.

Second rower Brock Gray will likely be available in the early parts of the season after doing his ACL during the 2025 season.

After his debut appearance with the Indigenous All-Stars, Oliver Pascoe will miss out on their final pre-season game after having concussion symptons following the match.

Josh Patston joins Pascoe after suffering a head knock of his own.

Injury List

• Brock Gray (ACL)
• Jaimin Jolliffe (knee)
• Oliver Pascoe (concussion symptons)
• Josh Patston (head knock)

As the Sea-Eagles enter a post-DCE era, they’ll be doing so with various players sidelined throughout the 2026 season.

Caleb Navale will be battling to feature in the maroon and white after sustaining an ACL injury during pre-season. At this stage, the lock is expected to return in the final two rounds.

Haumole Olakau'atu will be returning from shoulder injuries in 2026 after having their seasons finish early last season.

Aaron Schoupp is expected to be fit and firing from April after his ACL injury.  

Injury List

• Aaron Schoupp (ACL)
• Haumole Olakau'atu (shoulder)
• Caleb Navale (ACL)

Picking up a groin injury during last year’s Grand Final loss, Jack Howarth is likely to play in the early part of the season. He wasn’t the only Storm player who got an injury during that match.

Star winger Xavier Coates suffered an Achilles injury, which saw him wear a moon boot after the match. His recovery from the injury has not gone according to plan, which now means he'll miss the first three months of the season. That puts his return date to approximately Round 14 at the earliest.

Following his significant concussions against New Zealand while representing Tonga, which resulted in a brain bleed, Eliesa Katoa will not play in the 2026 season.

Injury List

• Eliesa Katoa (concussion)
• Xavier Coates (Achilles)
• Jack Howarth (groin)

Andrew Webster is likely to have three players available for selection for the Round One clash against the Roosters: former Dally M Medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring), Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) and Maruta Niukore (calf), who will likely be fit by then.

After doing his ACL in Round 13 last season, New South Wales and Australian representative Mitch Barnett is set to provide a massive boost to the side’s forward pack with his expected return for Round 2.

His return is to hopefully be shortly followed by Newcastle junior Jye Linnane, who signed with the Warriors for the next three years. The 20-year-old ruptured his ACL last pre-season and will be raring to go.

Another player raring to go for his return will be Luke Metcalf. The halfback was leading the Dally M Medal before going down with an ACL injury, which saw the Warriors struggle. He is currently on track for a Round 8-10 return.

Centre Rocco Berry is aiming for a return from his shoulder injury halfway through the season.

Five-eighth Te Maire Martin is now expected to the first half of the season which has deepened the issues facing the Warriors' halves situation.

After hurting his right ankle in the NRL All-Stars match, it's been confirmed that he has broken his leg with an expected return during Round 10 to 11.

New signing Alofiana Khan-Pereira has had his first start in the Warriors jersey delayed after entering concussion protocols. The 24-year-old did so while representing the Indigenous All Stars. A Round 1 debut is still on track.

Injury List

• Te Maire Martin (ankle)
• Taine Tuaupiki (ankle)
• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring)
• Marata Niukore (calf)
• Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf)
• Mitch Barnett (knee)
• Jye Linnane (knee)
• Luke Metcalf (ACL)
• Rocco Berry (shoulder)
• Alofiana Khan-Pereira (concussion)

Ahead of his first official match as coach of the Knights, Justin Holbrook will be hoping to bolster his starting team with the star trio of Fletcher Sharpe (hamstring), Dane Gagai (hamstring) and Kalyn Ponga (foot) being free to play against the Dragons for their season opener. All three have been selected in their Vegas squad, making it likely that they feature in Sin City.

Cody Hopwood has also been selected for the squad to Las Vegas whilst he deals with a calf injury.

Having dislocated his shoulder in his NRL debut during Round 12 last year, Paul Bryan will also be set to add to his NRL appearances in 2026.

Injury List

• Cody Hopwood (calf)
• Fletcher Sharpe (hamstring)
• Dane Gagai (hamstring)
• Kalyn Ponga (foot)
• Paul Bryan (shoulder)

With Todd Payten firmly in the hot seat for 2026, the pressure is on the Cowboys to make the most of a very talented list.

English international John Bateman was initially named to take on the Panthers, but would be a late out with a minor wrist injury. He is still likely to play for North Queensland in their Las Vegas season opener against the Knights.

Prop Griffin Neame will likely miss the Vegas match with his rehab from his shoulder reconstruction taking longer than expected.

Second rower and Queensland representative Jeremiah Nanai will follow suit with his own shoulder injury. His return to the team will be in April.

Tom Chester appears all set to make his return in Round One with a spot opening up following Zac Laybutt's suspension. Chester has dealt with an ruptered ACL in 2025 alongside having had a knee injury in the pre-season.

Injury List

• John Bateman (wrist)
• Griffin Neame (shoulder)
• Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder)
• Tom Chester (ACL)

Following a strong finish to Jason Ryles’ first season in charge, the Eels will be hoping to build upon their 2025 foundation this season. After a calf tear in their Round 24 loss to South Sydney, Luca Moretti is set to play in 2026, having featured in the club’s pre-season prep. Arthur Miller-Stephen will also hopefully be in contention for a spot in 2026 after having torn his ACL last April.

Injury List

• Luca Moretti (calf)
• Arthur Miller-Stephen (ACL)

Having remained uninjured throughout the majority of the pre-season, the Panthers have picked up an injury before their preliminary final rematch against the Broncos.

Prop Liam Henry will be out till at least Round 3 after sustaining a knee injury during Penrith's pre-season training.

Injury List

• Liam Henry (knee)

Despite a positive start to the season, the Bunnies were quickly ravaged by injuries throughout 2025. And in the first pre-season game, those injuries would continue to come.

Yet to make his NRL debut, 23-year-old five-eighth/halfback Jonah Glover will now need surgery on his jaw, which was broken whilst trying to tackle Luciano Leilua. The former Dragon will now be sidelined for eight weeks.

Talanoa Penitani will also be out for eight weeks. The centre would tear his right ACL during their win against St George Illawarra.

Centre Isaiah Tass is likely to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his ACL during the off-season while playing in the Murri Carnival.

Injury List

• Jonah Glover (jaw)
• Isaiah Tass (ACL)
• Talanoa Penitani (ACL)
• Alex Johnston (hamstring)
• Adam Elliott (calf)
• Jayden Sullivan (leg)
• Sean Keppie

Forward Hame Sele suffered a Category One concussion during the first two minutes of their pre-season match against his former South Sydney and played no further part.

Valentine Holmes will be ready to go for Las Vegas, with the club deciding not to play him in the Charity Shield to ensure he has fully recovered from his hamstring injury during the pre-season.

After pulling out of the NRL All Stars match with an ankle injury, Josh Kerr is still expected to play in the season opener against the Bulldogs.

Second-rower Dylan Egan should be back playing in the Red V by Round 10 after his hamstring injury.

St George Illawarra have also confirmed that Jacob Liddle will not play in Round One to have him ready for their Round Two clash against the Storm.

Wing/centre Nathan Lawson is still on the mend after sustaining a foot injury.

The club are yet to announce a timeline on when Connor Muhleisen will return after the hooker ruptured his ACL in the club’s NSW Cup grand final last year.

Injury List

• Hame Sele (concussion)
• Josh Kerr (ankle)
• Valentine Holmes (hamstring)
• Jacob Liddle (hamstring)
• Nathan Lawson (foot)
• Dylan Egan (ACL)
• Connor Muhleisen (ACL)

Looking to make their 10th finals series in a row, the Tricolours will mostly have a full and healthy list to do so.

The Chooks have suffered a brutal blow ahead of their season opener with hooker Reece Robson suffering a broken thumb. He will be sidelined for a maximum of two months following surgery.

Following a strong 2025, which saw him make his Origin debut, Robert Toia would sustain a foot injury while playing for Tonga in the Pacific Championships. He is likely to either feature in their last pre-season match or in Round One.

For emerging five-eighth Jake Elliott, his season has reportedly already come to an end following a shoulder injury during their first pre-season game of the year against the Wests Tigers.

Injury List

• Reece Robson (thumb)
• Rob Toia (foot)
• Jake Elliott (shoulder)

After a tumultuous off-season, which saw fans protest the actions of the Holman Barnes Group, the club will be hoping that it can be placed in the rearview mirror with a good start.

It’s a mostly healthy list for the Tigers, with Latu Fainu being the main injury concern. After injuring his shoulder in the side’s final game of the season against the Titans, the talented 20-year-old required a full reconstruction in the off-season, which will see him miss the early rounds of the season.

Kai Pearce-Paul will have to wait a little longer before he makes his debut in orange, black and white. Having moved from the Knights during the off-season, the English international was pulled from their match against the Panthers with some calf tightness. With the Round 1 bye, he's set to be ready for their first match of the season against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Kit Laulilii was also a late out for their last pre-season match having entered HIA protocols.

Injury List

• Latu Fainu (shoulder)
• Kit Laulilii (concussion)
• Kai Pearce-Paul (calf)