LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Panthers face uphill battle as injuries stack up ahead of Round 1 kickoff
Dylan Edwards and Blaize Talagi have now joined Nathan Cleary in a desperate race against time to be fit for the Penrith Panthers' season opener in Las Vegas in 2025.
Cleary's heroic battle through injuries in the previous season has been well-documented, with hamstring issues plaguing him before a troublesome shoulder injury sidelined him towards the end of the season.
Despite the setbacks, Cleary showed true grit and determination as he led the Panthers to their fourth consecutive premiership.
With Cleary's surgeon out on vacation, the star halfback underwent surgery just two weeks ago.
However, recent reports from The Sydney Morning Herald have revealed that fullback Edwards, who bravely played through the Pacific Championships with the Australian Kangaroos, has also undergone the same shoulder procedure this week.
Edwards, who played a pivotal role at fullback during the Kangaroos' successful campaign, had kept his injury under wraps but eventually had to go under the knife for the Latarjet procedure, similar to Cleary's.
As the clock ticks down to Round 1, the Panthers' spine is facing a race against time to be fully operational for their season opener.
The team will need to dig deep and rally together, drawing inspiration from their rich history of success as they prepare to face their opponents in the desert heat of Las Vegas.
It's a challenging road ahead for the Panthers, but with determination and teamwork, they will strive to overcome their mounting injury concerns and emerge victorious on the rugby league battleground.