Canterbury Bulldogs' star center, Stephen Crichton, is set to miss the upcoming match against the Penrith Panthers after sustaining a suspected high-grade AC joint injury during the Good Friday defeat to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Crichton was helped off the field in the second half after remaining down, with his shoulder taking a hard hit during an awkward tackle.
"It's not looking great in there," head coach Cameron Ciraldo remarked about his club captain in the post-match presser.
"They are saying it's sort of high Grade 2, Grade 3 possibly AC. That's the initial sort of thoughts on it, so he will be out for a while, but it'll be an opportunity for someone else."
The recovery period is projected to range from three to eight weeks, depending on the final diagnosis. If surgery is needed, Crichton could face an even longer absence.
This situation now puts his availability for the opening State of Origin match in jeopardy, which is less than two months away.
During the game, Ciraldo made a surprising choice by substituting Sean O'Sullivan, while specialist center Bronson Xerri remained on the bench.
Ciraldo explained that the decision stemmed from the need for effective communication on the field following Crichton's injury.
"Obviously Bronson was there covering wing and centre, but when you lose your best communicator, I needed to get another communicator out there and Sean is one of the best at that," Ciraldo noted regarding the strategic change.