Fletcher Sharpe, a rising star for Newcastle, has avoided a season-ending ACL injury, highlighting Kalyn Ponga's vital role in the Knights' 28-18 victory over North Queensland in Las Vegas.
After continuous speculation surrounding their halves, Sharpe could only manage 25 minutes alongside the NRL's highest-paid athlete, Dylan Brown, before he had to exit the Allegiant Stadium on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Sharpe's left knee buckled without any contact, raising initial concerns for the Knights, especially as he was later caught out in defense.
The young athlete will undergo scans upon returning to Australia, but the Knights medical team has already dismissed the possibility of an ACL tear.
The medical team feels optimistic that Sharpe's issue is just a medial ligament injury, meaning he might be out for only a few weeks.
"It's obviously frustrating personally, a little niggle in the knee, but I'm obviously pumped for the team," Sharpe remarked.
"It just wasn't right. Fingers crossed everything's all good, I'll get home and get some scans.
"I was just kind of side-shuffling and went down."