Nathan Cleary is set to return to action this week after being sidelined since Round 10, when he re-aggravated his hamstring during Penrith's 16-10 victory over Canterbury.
The Panthers star had been dealing with a hamstring problem for most of the campaign, missing Rounds 4-7 and also sitting out Round 9 as a precaution, before disaster struck.
The injury has seen Cleary miss out on yet more NRL action, while he has also been unavailable for New South Wales in State of Origin.
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Nathan Cleary injury news: Penrith Panthers star set to return
Penrith confirmed scans had revealed a grade two tear for the halfback, which has ruled him out for over two months.
The injury immediately sent a shockwave through the Blues' camp with Michael Maguire forced to look elsewhere for his No.7 in Origin.
There was hope that the Blues could see him in contention for selection for the third and final match, but Cleary was unable to take the field in time to press his case.
The playmaker had reportedly circled Round 17 for his comeback, but this proved to be a touch optimistic with him now set to play his first game in nine weeks when the Panthers take on the Dolphins in Round 20.
After news first broke of Cleary's injury, NRL Physio noted how the star's recovery would be "tricky" due to the sensitive nature of a re-injury.
Nathan Cleary is off after re-injuring his hamstring. Tricky recovery:
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 10, 2024
- initial rehab longer than expected
- returned 2 weeks ago & had tightness, so missed last week
- re-injured again tonight
Rehab for a re-injury usually more conservative - unlikely to be 1-2 week recovery.
Penrith Panthers record without Nathan Cleary in 2024
The 26-year-old has managed just five appearances so far this season, with the Panthers losing just one of them.
Penrith lost to Melbourne 8-0 in the opening round of the season, before Cleary guided his side to two wins in a row against Parramatta and Brisbane.
He then missed a month of action due to his first hamstring injury of the season, returning against North Queensland in Round 8.
However, his return proved to be short-lived as he was rested in Round 9 before suffering his long-term injury in Round 10, which has kept him sidelined for the majority of the campaign.
Without their talisman, Dylan Edwards has taken on more responsibility in attack with the No.1 helping to guide the Panthers into the top-four.
In their first match without Cleary in 2024, the Panthers beat the Sydney Roosters 22-16 but fell to defeat a week later against Manly.
The reigning premiers bounced back to winning ways in Round 7 against the Wests Tigers in Bathurst and hammered South Sydney 42-12.
Penrith went on an inconsistent run in the following matches since the playmaker limped from the field against the Dogs to finish with an overall record of seven wins and four losses without Cleary.
Penrith's record without Nathan Cleary this season
| Round | Fixture & Result |
| 4 | Sydney Roosters 16 def. by Penrith Panthers 22 |
| 5 | Manly Sea Eagles 32 def. Penrith Panthers 18 |
| 7 | Penrith Panthers 22 def. Wests Tigers 6 |
| 9 | South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 def. by Penrith Panthers 42 |
| 11 | New Zealand Warriors 22 def. Penrith Panthers 20 |
| 12 | Cronulla Sharks 0 def. by Penrith Panthers 42 |
| 13 | Penrith Panthers 10. def. by St George Illawarra Dragons 22 |
| 14 | Penrith Panthers 32 def. Manly Sea Eagles 22 |
| 15 | Newcastle Knights 18 def. by Penrith Panthers 26 |
| 17 | Penrith Panthers 6 def. by North Queensland Cowboys 16 |
| 18 | Brisbane Broncos 6 def. by Penrith Panthers 14 |
