NRL Injury News Summary – Round 27:

• Melbourne Storm winger Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown was stretchered off and hospitalised with neck concerns, while halfback Jahrome Hughes limped away with a hamstring injury.
• Dragons centre Valentine Holmes suffered a syndesmosis injury, casting doubt on his Cook Islands World Cup involvement.
• Roosters halfback Sam Walker has undergone ankle surgery and faces a race against the clock to feature in the finals.
• Knights prop Trey Mooney is done for 2026 with a fractured shoulder blade, with Francis Manuleleua also nursing a dislocated elbow.

Storm Duo Hughes and Tuimalatu-Brown Hurt in Final Outing of 2026

Debutant winger Storm Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown was taken to hospital as a precaution after just five minutes, following a heavy tackle from Cam McInnes and Michael Gabrael, with the latter sin-binned for high contact.

The Storm confirmed there was no severe spinal injury on initial assessment, but the youngster remains under observation for ongoing numbness in his arm. 

Adding to the pain, Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes was pulled from the field late in the first half with a hamstring complaint, sparking nerves ahead of the Kiwis' World Cup opener in six weeks.

Dragons and Roosters Battered

Dragons’ fans copped a rough weekend too, with Valentine Holmes going off injured, with coach Dean Young later confirming a syndesmosis injury. 

Back-rower Hamish Stewart also failed a HIA, joining an already lengthy Red V casualty list that includes Clint Gutherson and Jaydn Su'A.

Over at the Roosters, coach Trent Robinson delivered a mixed bag of updates. Star halfback Sam Walker has had ankle surgery, but Robinson is optimistic he can mirror Mark Nawaqanitawase's five-week comeback earlier this year.

"The timeline's as quick as possible," Robinson said. "There's some clear signposts along the way about games and around what's possible."

Victor Radley (concussion) and Angus Crichton (foot) are both tracking towards a Week 1 finals return.

Knights Season Curtailed by Multiple Blows

Newcastle's finals hopes copped another gut punch. Prop Trey Mooney is done for the year with a fractured shoulder blade after averaging 105 run metres per game across 22 appearances, while Francis Manuleleua faces a battle to return from a dislocated elbow before the finals wrap up.

Prop Jacob Saifiti has also been slapped with a four-game ban following a Reckless High Tackle on Warriors winger Luke Laulilii, all but ending his 2026 campaign.

Finals Contenders Get Reinforcements

It's not all doom and gloom for finals-bound clubs. Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo is set to return from a pectoral injury, a huge boost for Penrith's premiership push. 

The Warriors also welcomed back Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, while star centre Leka Halasima is expected to return for Week 1 of the finals.

The Dolphins rested Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), Kodi Nikorima and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki ahead of finals, while the Cowboys will regain Zac Laybutt, Griffin Neame and Jeremiah Nanai for the opening week of September action.

With the NRL finals just around the corner, punters keeping tabs on the latest team news and injury updates can head to Sportsbet for the freshest markets on premiership favourites, top tryscorers and Week 1 finals fixtures.