Roosters suffer major blow with forward’s ACL injury confirmed

The Sydney Roosters have been dealt another cruel injury blow, with rising forward Blake Steep suffering an ACL rupture while playing in the NSW Cup over the weekend.

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Steep sustained the knee injury during the match in what is understood to have been a non-contact incident, often the most concerning mechanism when it comes to serious ligament damage.

Scans have since confirmed the worst, with the young forward diagnosed with an ACL injury, although the club has not yet officially determined a return timeline.

While the Roosters are yet to confirm the full extent of the recovery period, the nature of the injury suggests Steep is likely to miss the remainder of the 2026 season and may not return until 2027.

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It marks a devastating setback for one of the club’s most promising young forwards, who had been building strong momentum in his development and pushing for consistent first-grade opportunities.

It also comes at a time when the Roosters are dealing with an influx of injury issues, with Angus Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Lindsay Collins all sustaining injuries over the weekend alongside Steep, who has previously been linked to taking over Crichton’s job in the second row when the Origin forward departs for rugby union at season’s end.

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Steep has been widely regarded as an emerging talent within the Roosters system, rising quickly through the ranks and earning recognition for his work rate and physical presence in the middle.

The injury is made even more unfortunate given Steep had only recently overcome a previous ACL rupture that sidelined him during the 2023 season, making this his second serious knee injury in just a few years.

His absence will not only impact the club’s depth across the forward pack but also stall the progress of a player seen as a key part of the Roosters’ long-term plans.

The Roosters are expected to provide further updates as Steep begins his rehabilitation, with the focus now shifting to a lengthy recovery process following another cruel setback in his young career.

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