Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out for eight weeks with a hamstring injury.
Mitchell left the game against the Dragons last week after just 14 minutes.
The club said on Monday that scans revealed the tear was in the tendon and not the muscle, causing a longer recovery time.
Mitchell’s estimated return date is Round 13 when Souths have a bye but the Wednesday after that round is the State of Origin opener on June 8.
It’s highly unlikely Blues coach Brad Fittler would play Mitchell without any games under his belt following a long lay-off.
“He reported feeling a pull or a grab in his hamstring and was unable to finish the game,” Rabbitohs physio Eddie Farah said.
“The MRI scan confirmed what we expected, a definite tear in the hamstring and the tear was located in the tendon rather than the muscle.
“That means his recovery will be a lot slower.”
The club also confirmed Souths veteran Mark Nichols had an operation on his ankle and will be out for eight to 10 weeks.
KNIGHTS CARNAGE
The Newcastle Knights are in a spot of bother with their injury list reaching eight players following their 30-6 loss to the Sea Eagles.
As a direct result Knights coach Adam O’Brien may be forced to name a new halves duo with Adam Clune sidelined after damaging his posterior cruciate ligament.
The 26-year-old has opted not to go under the knife and instead is hoping to play through the pain.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
If Clune finds himself ruled out against his former club the Dragons, 21-year-old Phoenix Crossland will likely be to pair up with Jake Clifford in the halves.
Just when matters couldn’t get worse UK import Dominic Young is expected to have a four-to-six week sideline stint after injuring his knee, alongside Jirah Momoisea who is facing up to six weeks out after injuring his elbow.
Both Young and Momoisea came off with injuries during the first half in the Knights’ loss to the Sea Eagles.
The duo are currently awaiting the outcome of their scans with the possibility of surgery.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘HARD FOR FANS TO UNDERSTAND’: Sharks high shot exposes NRL’s big issue
COMEBACK QUEENS! Roosters break Dragons hearts in epic NRLW Grand Final
‘UNFAIR ADVANTAGE’: Roosters score controversial match sealing try
‘RUINS THE SPECTACLE’: Cronk calls on NRL to fix captain’s challenge ‘loophole’
The Knights now have eight players sidelined with injury and Mitch Barnett unavailable due to suspension.
Jayden Brailey (Achilles) – Round 18
David Klemmer (knee) – Round 9
Lachlan Fitzgibbon – (knee) – 6 weeks
Adam Clune – (knee) – 0-2 weeks
Dominic Young – (knee) – 4 to 6 weeks
Jira Momoisea – (elbow) – 1 to 6 weeks
Mitch Barnett – (suspension) – Round 10
Bailey Hodgson – (elbow) – Round 10
Tyson Frizell – (ankle) – 0 to 2 weeks
Origin representative Tyson Frizell is expected to return from his ankle injury early, pushing through the pain during the Knights’ injury crisis.
INJURED IN ROUND 5
Latrell Mitchell (Hamstring) – Round 13
Dominic Young (leg) – TB
Jirah Momoisea (dislocated elbow) – TB
Martin Taupau (neck) – TB
Chanel Harris-Tavita (face laceration) – TB
Adam Reynolds (leg) – TB
Corey Oates (leg) – TB
Nat Butcher (concussion) – TB
Matthew Timoko (back) – TB
Waqa Blake (knee) – TB
FULL CASUALTY WARD
BRONZES
Adam Reynolds (leg) – TB
Corey Oates (leg) – TB
Pat Carrigan (knee) – Round 8-10
Albert Kelly (footy – TB
Jordan Riki (ribs) – Round 5
Brendan Piakura (Hamstring) – Round 10
Xavier Willison (knee) – mid-season
MORE NRL NEWS
‘NOT HAPPY ATTENTION’: Barrett praises recalled Bulldogs half after tough week
‘I WAS IN A SIMILAR POSITION AT PENRITH’: Tamou compares Tigers to premiers
‘WE HAVEN’T GONE BACKWARDS’: Madge defiant as Tigers sink to new low
3 BIG HITS: Sharks backline on fire as Tigers slump to worst start in club history
3 BIG HITS: Bulldogs star’s all-time shocker, Flanagan holds own in fiery Luai battle
RAIDERS
Matthew Timoko (back) – TB
Hudson Young (toe) – Round 6-7
Jamal Fogarty (knee) – Round 15
Josh Hodgson (knee) – season
Harley Smith-Shields (knee) – season
BULLDOGS
Paul Alamoti (Ankle) – Round 6
Matt Doorey (knee) – indefinite
Raymond Faitala-Mariner (foot) – indefinite
Jack Hetherington (shoulder) – season
SHARKS
Matt Ikuvalu (ankle) – TB
Connor Tracey (head knock) – TB
Wade Graham (Round) – Round 6
TITANS
Jayden Campbell (ribs) – TB
Joe Wool (knee) – indefinite
Shallin Fuller (leg) – season
SEA EAGLES
Josh Schuster (Ankle) – Round 6
Tom Trbojevic (medial tear) – Round 8
Martin Taupau (neck) – TB
STORM
Tom Eisenhuth (calf) – Round 5
Bronson Garlick (knee) – TB
Tui Kamikamica (stood down) – indefinite
George Jennings (knee) – season
Christian Welch (Achilles) – season
KNIGHTS
Dominic Young (leg) – TB
Jirah Momoisea (elbow) – TB
Hymel Hunt (knee) – Round 6
David Klemmer (knee) – Round 9
Mitchell Barnett (suspension) – Round 10
Bailey Hodgson (elbow) – Round 10
Lachlan Fitzgibbon (knee) – Round 11
Jayden Brailey (Achilles) – Round 18
COWBOYS
Ben Hampton – Round 6
Cohen Hess (shoulder) – Round 6
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (knee) – Round 6-7
Mitchell Dunn (knee) – season
EELS
Waqa Blake (knee) – TB
Shaun Lane (Hamstring) – Round 6
Jake Arthur (appendix) – Round 6
Marata Niukore (calf) – Round 7
Sean Russell (ribs) – indefinite
Maika Gray (knee) – mid-season
Haze Dunster (knee) – season
Ray Stone (knee) – season
KFC SuperCoach is back! You could win the Holy Grail of Fantasy Footy plus $ 50k cash. Play now
PANTHERS
Brian To’o (knee) – Round 9
Moses Leota (shoulder) – Round 10
RABBITOHS
Mark Nicholls (knee / ankle) – Round 12-14
Latrell Mitchell (Hamstring) – Round 13
DRAGONS
Tyrell Fuimaono (suspension) – Round 6
Josh McGuire (suspension) – Round 6
Max Feagai (Ankle) – Round 11
ROOSTERS
Nat Butcher (concussion) – TB
Egan Butcher (foot) – Round 5
Sam Verrills (thumb) – Round 6
WARRIORS
Chanel Harris-Tavita (face laceration) – TB
Ash Taylor (hip) – Round 6
William Vailea (knee) – Round 6
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (thumb) – Round 8
Tohu Harris (knee) – indefinite
TIGERS
Kelma Tuilagi (shoulder) – TB
Stefano Utoikamanu (ankle) – TB
Jackson Hastings (suspension) – Round 6
Adam Doueihi (knee) – indefinite
Asu Kepaoa (pectoral) – indefinite
Tommy Talau (knee) – indefinite
Shawn Blore (ACL) – season
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now !!
.