The Manly Sea Eagles face a setback as lock Caleb Navale has sustained an ACL injury during training.
The 24-year-old had been making the most of limited NRL chances and looked set to push for a spot in coach Anthony Seibold's 19-man squad this season.
The setback occurred in a Wednesday training mishap that all but rules him out for the campaign.
The injury all but ends his season, with the club curiously confirming that, despite suffering an ACL rupture, he will miss a 'majority' of the season, with surgery confirmed for later this week.
ACL ruptures typically require nine to 12 months on the sidelines, which pushes a return well beyond the season's end.
Seibold noted Navale had enjoyed his best pre-season to date and appeared poised to become a regular at NRL level.
"We're all feeling for Caleb at the moment," Seibold said.
He had his strongest pre-season yet and appeared headed for regular NRL selection.
"I do know Caleb will throw everything he can into his rehab and the goal now is to get him back before the end of the season."
Manly will look to plug the gap up the middle with the arrival of Kobe Hetherington at lock and the depth provided by Ethan Bullemor and Siosiua Taukeiaho through the year.