Tom Jenkins left Penrith last year looking for an opportunity to break in and become an NRL regular at Newcastle.
The winger, who played just six games for the Panthers across a two-year period, signed a deal with the Knights in the off-season with Adam O'Brien desperate for some reinforcements in his backline.
The club’s leading try-scorer Dom Young departed in order to join the Sydney Roosters and Jenkins was brought in and touted as the man to replace the English international.
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Former Panthers prospect Tom Jenkins set for uncertain NRL future
Jenkins' early days in the Hunter got off to a positive start as he featured in four straight games on the wing during the opening rounds of the season.
However, after playing in Newcastle’s 30-10 victory over St George Illawarra in Round 5, Jenkins appeared for just 44 more minutes in the NRL.
This cameo came in Round 7 against Canterbury with the Knights slipping to a heavy defeat to the Bulldogs.
Jenkins picked up an injury in the loss and failed to see out the match and has since been unable to break back into the Knights’ side.
Instead, Fletcher Sharpe has emerged as the standout option with Greg Marzhew occupying the other flank.
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And this competition for spots is only going to get worse for Jenkins in 2025, with James Schiller to arrive from Canberra, while the injured Enari Tuala is also expected to come back into the picture.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Jenkins has now been granted an early release from his two-year contract, although no clubs have yet been linked to his signature.
If the 23-year-old does exit, he is expected to be one of a number of players on the roster to move on with the club juggling their salary cap.
Daniel Saifiti has already confirmed he is set to leave, while the likes of Jayden Brailey and Jackson Hastings are also reportedly on the outer in the Hunter.
