NRL 2024: Mixed news for the Roosters with young half cleared to play while star prop faces time out of the game

The Roosters have received a boost with halfback Sam Walker cleared for Thursday’s heavyweight clash against the Panthers, but they will be without Lindsay Collins after the club confirmed he’s got a low-grade hamstring injury.

Walker was initially in doubt for the round 4 match after he was deemed a category 1 following an incident last week where Jack Wighton’s elbow accidentally collected him in the head.

But the club appealed the decision after he showed no concussion symptoms, with the NRL clearing him to take on the premiers.

“Sam Walker was taken from the field after having been deemed to have a category 1 concussion,” the Roosters confirmed in a statement, with the young half hurting his neck in the awkward collision.

“Having passed two head injury assessments in the sheds on the night, and exhibiting no symptoms since, it has been downgraded to a category 2 by the NRL and he will be available for the Roosters’ round 4 match against the Penrith Panthers.”

While Walker will be named on Tuesday, representative forward Lindsay Collins is set for a stint on the sidelines after the club confirmed he injured his hamstring in the win over the Rabbitohs.

Even a minor strain will keep him out for a couple of weeks, with Sandon Smith also set to be out for an indefinite period after he damaged an elbow in the big win over South Sydney.

Luke Keary will come straight back in for Smith, who set up two tries with nice kicks, with Connor Watson likely to retain his spot on the bench after making a successful return after more than 500 days out of the NRL.

Luckless centre Billy Smith is also facing time out of the game after scans confirmed an ankle injury that he picked up in the NSW Cup.

“An MRI has confirmed that Lindsay Collins sustained a low grade left hamstring strain. He has commenced the club’s hamstring rehab protocol,” the Roosters revealed.

“Sandon Smith suffered an elbow hyperextension just before half time. Scans have shown a significant medial ligament injury to his left elbow.

“The medical team has commenced rehab on the non-surgical injury and will continue testing to decide his return to play date.”