Dearden\u2019s injury occurred during the second half when he made a break only to be brought down in an awkward tackle by Parramatta\u2019s Josh Addo-Carr and Joash Papalii. <\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t a conventional hip-drop tackle but the referee opted not to blow a penalty after asking Dearden several times if he was staying on the field.<\/p>\n
The Cowboys halfback winced in pain but bravely played out the game, hobbling around the field, clearly inhibited by the injury. Then Dearden couldn\u2019t come off because the Cowboys had used all their interchanges.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Attention will quickly turn to whether Dearden will be fit in time for State of Origin Game 1 in Sydney on May 27. <\/p>\n
Dearden won the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series last year and it would be a huge blow for Queensland if he was to miss any of the Origin series, especially given his likely halves partner Cameron Munster is out of form. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt didn\u2019t look good and it progressively got worse as he stayed on the field. This is concerning for Queensland,\u201d Braith Anasta said on Kayo Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it is a bad injury, he\u2019s a huge loss for Queensland and for the Cowboys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Broncos and Maroons legend Kevin Walters said: \u201cTom Dearden, that\u2019s a big one.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in such good form. His running game was brilliant tonight. Not good signs for Queensland or Tommy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt didn\u2019t look too good. He was limping around, he\u2019s going to miss at least a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cowboys have got an interesting period coming up. They\u2019ve got Origin where they lose some players.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cowboys coach Todd Payten confirmed post-game that Dearden would undergo scans on his ankle on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a tough kid, wanted to stick it out. Fingers crossed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just talking to him about it, he said he should have come off but he wanted to run it out. He wanted to stick it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Payten added: \u201cWe showed a lack of respect to our most capped player (Jason Taumalolo), we showed a lack of respect to our captain with eight minutes to go, trying to push passes when he\u2019s on one leg. <\/p>\n
\u201cShowed a lack of respect to the ball with 18 minutes and got exactly what was coming. Angry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moses also appeared to hurt his ankle when Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater made contact with his leg attempting a chargedown on the matchwinning field goal. Drinkwater could come under scrutiny for the late contact. <\/p>\n