Penrith has confirmed an injury to Nathan Cleary, after the superstar halfback was sin-binned and subsequently charged for a dangerous tackle in Sunday’s win over the Roosters.

Cleary was seen limping late in the contest and deferred a conversion attempt to Dylan Edwards, undergoing scans on his foot on Monday afternoon.

Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

The Panthers have since provided an update on his injury revealing he will be “assessed and monitored” in the coming days as the side gets this weekend off after progressing straight into the preliminary final.

“Cleary sustained a stress-related bone issue in his foot during Sunday afternoon’s Qualifying Final victory over the Sydney Roosters,” a club statement read on Monday.

“Cleary will continue to be assessed and monitored by the Panthers medical team.”

Cleary told Fox League on Sunday: “I copped a little bump on the foot and it was a pretty important kick so I just wanted Dyl to take it.”

“I wasn’t sure how the foot was going to hold up so it was just precautionary to be honest.”

Journalist Brent Read relayed intel from ‘NRL Phsyio’ who explained Dylan Edwards played through a stress fracture in the 2021 finals series “but there are some fractures in the foot where you cannot play”.

Trindall to play through pain in finals | 02:34

“Do we think they’re just using terminology here to conceal the severity of the injury?” Braith Anasta asked on NRL 360.

Anasta explained he had a stress fracture in his navicular at one stage, “and there’s no blood flow in your foot so it takes time to recover.

“It’s actually really annoying. It’s painful but it’s playable, but it’s there, and it’s irritating and it doesn’t go away. He’ll have it for the rest of the year but you’ve got to hope it’s not severe.”

Meanwhile in the final seconds of the opening half of Penrith’s clash against the Sydney Roosters, Cleary ran through the kicking legs of Hugo Savala and immediately knew he was in danger of being sent from the field.

“There’s force in it. (It’s) very dangerous and high risk of injury,” referee Gerard Sutton was heard saying on the field.

The four-time premiership-winner and 2026 Wally Lewis Medallist was hit with a grade one dangerous contact charge on Monday morning.

He is only facing a fine of $1,000 as a result and will be available for selection in the preliminary finals.

Melee IGNITES after Cleary sin bin | 01:30

Speaking on Fox League, Matty Johns believed Cleary could be facing an extended stint on the sidelines.

“He could be facing a two or three weeks suspension,” Johns said on Finals Footy with Matty Johns.

Former NRL Dally M winner Todd Carney added, “You look at the vision again. He’s not going for the body.

“He’s obviously shadowing the kicker and he ends up hitting his leg.

“The rules say it’s a dangerous play, but it’s a big one.”

Cleary himself spoke post-game, calling his decision to attempt a charge down on Savala a “stupid” one.

“My mind was going a million miles an hour if I’m honest (after the sin bin),” Cleary said.

“There was a lot of guilt and I felt like I let the boys down. It was a super stupid decision.

“I thought I saw an opportunity to make a big play on half time but it was the opposite.”

‘We can’t do anything Mark can do!’ | 00:36

Cleary won a charge downgrade in the pre-season when represented by his father and Penrith coach Ivan at the judiciary.

When asked by Fox League’s Bryan Fletcher if the club could use that tactic again, the Panthers star laughed it off.

“He did alright last time so hopefully I don’t have to go but we’ll see,” Cleary replied.

Players have previously been suspended in the past for similar incidents.

In Round 3, Trey Mooney was slapped with one-match ban (Grade Two) after running through the legs of Tanah Boyd.

However, the NRL made big changes to the judiciary code in 2022 which meant in finals matches players would be eligible to accept a fine for most third offences instead of facing a ban as is customary in the regular season.

Zac Hosking avoided a ban for a similar incident in the finals last year.

Zac Hosking was charged for this incident.Source: FOX SPORTS

Hosking collected the legs of Reece Walsh on a field goal attempt, but it was only deemed grade one dangerous contact.

As was the case with Walsh, Savala also was quick to get up and not injured in the play.

“He’s fine. Hugo Savala got straight up…it’ll be a grade one,” Luke Keary said on Fox League.

Cleary did, however, appear to accelerate at Savala and collected his legs with more force.