Broncos skipper Reynolds cleared of serious leg injury
Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds has been cleared of serious injury, while scans have revealed winger Deine Mariner has suffered a fractured back in mixed injury news for the battered Broncos.
Last year’s grand finalists feared the worst when Reynolds limped off at halftime of their 34-32 loss to Melbourne, with the veteran halfback appearing emotional in the changeroom.
Mariner, who suffered the injury in a heavy collision with Storm winger Xavier Coates, managed to play out Thursday night’s game but joined Reynolds in going for scans.
Broncos head of performance Dave Ballard said Reynold’s diagnosis was a minor hamstring strain but offered no timeline for his return.
“Adam underwent scans back in Brisbane today at the Qscan Clive Berghofer Facility which revealed a minor hamstring strain – we will see how he pulls up in the coming days before he works into a rehab program,” Ballard said in a statement.
But the result wasn’t as positive for Mariner, who could miss the next month of football.
“Deine was scanned in Melbourne after the game, showing a transverse process fracture in his back,” Ballard said.
“Players with similar injuries have returned to play within three to four weeks so it will be a matter of assessing how quickly Deine recovers.”
Veteran playmaker Reynolds’ kicking game had been key to his side taking a two-point lead into halftime, putting them on track for their first win in Melbourne since 2016.
The halfback said the hamstring injury flared early in the the match.
“I felt it early on in the game and it gradually got worse … I was trying to get through to halftime to see where I was but then I saw a bit of space on the short side and tried to take off and it didn’t feel too good there,” Reynolds said.
Broncos assistant John Cartwright said understudy half Jock Madden would likely replace Reynolds against the Dolphins next Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
“To replace someone like Reyno there will be pressure there but he has a great demeanour, Jock, and a great character,” Cartwright said.
“He’s had a good off-season to get ready for it and a tough game against Penrith (in round three).
Mariner’s replacement is likely to be veteran winger Corey Oates who came off the bench against the Storm.
Cartwright said fullback Reece Walsh would “give himself every chance to play” the Dolphins in his quest to return a week early from a facial fracture.
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