Luke Keary is out of the Sydney Roosters’ match against South Sydney, but James Tedesco thinks the five-eighth’s most recent head injury wasn’t as bad as his prior setbacks.
It coincides with Penrith’s announcement that standout prop forward James Fisher-Harris has escaped shoulder structural injury, though it will be week-by-week.
During Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic’s pursuit of a kick late in the NRL match against the Sea Eagles on Sunday, Keary’s head collided with his knee.
Keary met with the club’s medical team on Monday, and the Roosters confirmed that he will not be able to play on Friday against the Souths, their bitter rivals, due to the NRL’s 11-day concussion stand-down rules.
Between January 2018 and May 2019, Keary sustained five concussions. Following another head injury, he missed about a month of the 2022 season.
However, Tedesco, who has experienced numerous concussions, claimed that Keary’s most recent blow was not as severe.
The captain of the Roosters stated, “He was good enough for that because he drove back with the boys and came back on the bus.”
“Hopefully, he’s doing well.
“After it he seemed in good spirits and it definitely wasn’t as bad as some other ones he’s had previously.”
Keary has a chance to pass concussion procedures in time to play Penrith, the defending premiers, on March 28, but he must be symptom-free in order to play.
Up-and-coming playmaker Sandon Smith is the likeliest candidate to replace Keary in the halves against Souths, with Joey Manu also an option to move from the centres.
Manu, a particularly strong performer in the Roosters’ round-one win over Brisbane, was unfazed about the prospect of a positional switch.
“There are a lot of halves (options) there,” Manu said.
“I’ve played that before but I’ll just play wherever I’m needed. As long as I’m out there, I’ll try to do my job.”
Billy Smith would be the most logical replacement for Manu in the centres, having recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered ahead of round one.
Fisher-Harris is in doubt for Thursday’s grand final rematch against Brisbane after leaving the Panthers’ win over Parramatta in the first half on Friday night.
The talismanic prop was unable to return to the field or watch the remainder of the game from the sidelines, with coach Ivan Cleary saying he had “lost power” in his shoulder.
Scans taken on Sunday confirmed Fisher-Harris had avoided major damage but he will continue to be monitored by medical staff.
Lindsay Smith is likely to start alongside Moses Leota on Thursday night.
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