Roosters’ Lindsay Collins update sparks fears for his NRL future

Sydney Roosters and Queensland prop Lindsay Collins will spend at least six weeks on the sidelines after the club opted for a cautious approach following his latest concussion.

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Collins has not played since suffering a head knock during the Roosters’ Round 17 victory over the Brisbane Broncos, a concussion that also ruled him out of the State of Origin decider for Queensland.

While the NRL’s mandatory stand-down period is only 11 days, the Roosters have elected to significantly extend Collins’ recovery, with the representative forward now expected to return no earlier than Round 23 against the Bulldogs.

The extended absence means Collins will miss matches against Newcastle and North Queensland after already sitting out recent wins over Parramatta and Melbourne.

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The decision continues a pattern of conservative concussion management from the Roosters, particularly for players with a history of repeated head knocks.

(Getty Images)

Getty Images

Collins has endured several concussions throughout his career, including another earlier this season against Brisbane, while previous incidents in 2024 and 2022 also resulted in significant time on the sidelines.

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The latest setback is likely to reignite concerns surrounding the long-term effects of repeated concussions, particularly for a player who has become one of the game’s premier front-rowers and a regular representative for both Queensland and Australia.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has previously stressed the club is in no rush to bring Collins back, making it clear his health remains the priority over any short-term return to the field.

The Roosters have adopted a similar approach with several players in recent years, including Victor Radley, Luke Keary and former captain Boyd Cordner, all of whom spent extended periods away from the game following concussion concerns.

It is a growing concern for not just the club, but the NRL though, with both former Rooters Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend forced into retirement due to repeated concussions relatively recently.

With the Roosters firmly entrenched in the finals race, Collins’ eventual return could provide a major boost, but the latest development will no doubt worry the club that recent hostory may be repeating. 

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