The Penrith Panthers have confirmed co-skipper Isaah Yeo will not require surgery following a pectoral injury in the club's loss to the New Zealand Warriors on Friday.
Penrith fans were holding their breath when they saw Yeo depart the field, fearing the worst of being without their inspirational pack leader for the remainder of the year.
However, positive scans have revealed that Yeo can immediately undertake rehabilitation and look to return to the playing field before the end of the season.
Yeo reeled out of an attempted tackle in the final five minutes of the first half of the Warriors clash, looking like a textbook pec injury that keeps players sidelined for months.
“Huge concerns there. He's clutching bicep or pec,” Michael Ennis said in Fox League commentary.
“This is a big story. The reaction on his face was that of devastation. Isaah Yeo has been so durable for years.
“Stunning news...Isaah Yeo with what looks to be a bicep or pec injury. It could be a monumental blow to their premiership credentials.”
It is a massive boost to the Panthers' premiership credentials to have Yeo potentially return before the end of the season, with the club searching for a fifth premiership title in six years since the turn of the decade.
Ever so reliable and setting the benchmark for modern-day ball-playing lock forwards, it means Yeo is still a chance of playing for Australia in this year's World Cup campaign.
The Panthers were blown out of the water on Friday night, succumbing to a 28-12 defeat from a Warriors side up for the fight.
Metcalf made a scintillating return to the NRL side, scoring two tries and guiding his teammates around the park for a crucial two points as the race for the minor premiership begins to heat up.
The Panthers remain on top of the ladder only by for and against, with the Roosters in hot pursuit on the same amount of points.
The Warriors sit one win behind and will put some serious pressure on the top two sides if they can get a big win over the Broncos this Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Panthers host a top-two blockbuster clash against the Roosters on Thursday, with the winner taking first place with three weeks remaining in the home and away season.
