The Roosters’ season is in danger of unravelling after Sam Walker limped off with an injury during their defeat to the Dolphins.
The Chooks were humbled in their highly-anticipated top four clash on Saturday afternoon as the Dolphins scored five tries on their way to a 26-12 victory.
Watch Sam Walker suffer the devastating injury via the video player above
Midway through the second half, with the Roosters already trailing 26-6, Walker went down off the ball after a tackle by forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
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He seemed to be experiencing pain in his ankle as the game continued with Walker down in his own half.
When play was eventually stopped, he appeared to be in severe pain and, despite receiving treatment, was forced to hobble off.
Commentator Michael Ennis said: “The Roosters’ season hanging by a thread here.”
While Andrew Voss added: “All his body language suggests he’s gone here. Big concern. That has silenced the Roosters fans here at the Allianz.”
Fox Sports pitchside reporter Grace Hayden later revealed: “Really nervous times ahead for the Roosters and Sam Walker.
“The doctor still hasn’t determined how bad the ankle is. He’ll be sent for scans this week, but won’t return tonight.”
And expert NRL physiotherapist Brian Seeney said on social media: “Sam Walker off and will go for scans after suffering a suspected ankle injury.
“Mechanism brings concern for a syndesmosis injury — foot gets trapped under contact from tackler causing foot to turn out. Fibula fracture a possibility considering traumatic nature of mechanism & immediate removal.
“As always usual recovery timeframes go out the window a bit this time of year, but if syndesmosis injury confirmed would normally be 2-6 weeks.”
The Roosters later confirmed they are scanning for syndesmosis.
Walker has 22 assists for the Roosters this season, three more than their next best James Tedesco.
Defeat to the Dolphins means they are now in danger of dropping out of the top four, with the Sharks just four points behind them with a game in hand.
Last week’s loss to the Wests Tigers was inexplicable but would have been forgotten if they’d bounced back against a fellow heavyweight.
But Saturday night exposed a stack of flaws on the eve of the finals that will worry coach Trent Robinson.
They started well with the returning Tedesco setting up Robert Toia for the opening try of the evening, but they hardly fired a shot until the Dolphins were reduced to 11 men.
The home fans sniffed a comeback when Salesi Foketi scored, but any hopes of a miracle disappeared moments later when Tommy Talau made a huge break and then passed to Savala who dropped it cold with the line wide open.
They must now beat the Rabbitohs to clinch their spot in the top four.
Originally published as ‘He’s gone’: NRL season ‘hanging by a thread’ as Roosters suffer huge blow