Roosters’ title hopes look bleak as Walker suffers ACL problem, Smith limps off field after hip-drop

The Roosters’ title hopes were over in an instant at Allianz Stadium when halfback Sam Walker limped off the field with a suspected ACL tear.

Walker is receiving treatment after he fell to the ground midway through the first half after challenging for the ball during a kick-chase with Canberra interchange utility Simi Sisagi.

Premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk said on Fox League commentary that the non-contact aspect of the incident suggested Walker had torn the ACL in his left knee.

The Roosters have confirmed he will undergo a scan to determine if he has torn his ACL.

“He’s in a lot of pain. When the knee contracts like that without any contact it’s usually an ACL,” Cronk said.

“He doesn’t look like he’s in good shape at all.”

Sideline commentators reported that Walker told Roosters staff he heard a popping sound when he hit his knee, which is typically a sign of an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Walker suffered an ACL injury last year that was diagnosed as a partial tear in the same knee.

That injury kept him out of action for over three months, but if the ligament is completely torn this time around, he could miss the start of next season.

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He looked very upset when he was taken off the field in the 13th minute.

Trent Robinson could replace Luke Carey at halfback, while Sandon Smith, Joey Manu or Connor Watson could be included at halfback for next Friday’s final-round clash with South Sydney before they make the finals.

Raiders veteran Jordan Rapana suffered a cheekbone fracture in an aerial collision with opposition fullback James Tedesco and has now almost played his last match for the Green Machine.

Sam Walker was lifted off the ground. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Roosters hooker Brandon Smith also limped off the field late in the first half after a hip-drop tackle by Elliot Whitehead saw him sent to the sin bin.

Smith has previously had to wear a bandage on his right knee after suffering an injury and his leg was badly twisted due to the Canberra forward’s weight. He is suspected of having a syndesmosis injury, which also means he won’t feature again until 2025.

“Brendon Smith and Sam Walker are doubtful for the rest of the season, which is a big blow for the Roosters,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League. He said it would be “very difficult” for them to win the title without these two vital backbone members.

“It looked really scary.”

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