The Newcastle Knights have announced that both Dylan Lucas and Dylan Brown are facing long-term injuries, resulting in them being sidelined for the entire 2026 season.
In a nail-biting match against the Sydney Roosters held in the Hunter on Friday night, the Knights experienced a narrow defeat, finishing at 23-22.
The most significant news, however, was the injury to the Knights' duo, which poses a serious challenge to the team's premiership aspirations after a promising start to the 2026 campaign.
Lucas was forced to exit the game in the first half after landing awkwardly on his ankle, leading to disturbing visual evidence of the injury's severity.
The junior from Albion Park required immediate medical attention, receiving the green whistle before being taken off the field via medicab with his ankle immobilized and transported directly to the hospital.
The NSW Blues back rower is set to undergo surgery today to address a confirmed dislocation and fracture in his left ankle, with a timeline for his recovery still pending.
Lucas had been on the verge of making his Australian debut in the upcoming World Cup, following unexpected injuries within the Kangaroos' edge back rower ranks, but his hopes have taken a devastating blow.
Meanwhile, scans have shown that Newcastle's high-profile recruit Brown has suffered an ACL rupture in his left knee, bringing his 2026 season to an abrupt end.
Brown's injury occurred in the second half without any contact after he stepped off his left foot, a concerning development that often signals ACL involvement.