The Sydney Roosters' premiership credentials have taken a massive blow after star halfback Sam Walker has been ruled out for the entire season after scans revealed a high grade syndesmosis injury.
News Corp is reporting Walker will undergo season-ending surgery, which will rule him out for the tri-colours' finals campaign.
Walker left the contest against the Dolphins in the 53rd minute after his ankle became trapped awkwardly underneath Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the Roosters' 26-12 loss at Moore Park on Saturday.
The Dolphins defender was cleared of any foul play, but Walker had to exit the contest wincing in pain, sparking concerns about his short-term fitness to see out the 2026 campaign.
It is a massive blow to the Roosters' premiership hunt, who are looking for their first premiership in seven years and seemed to have found a winning combination in Daly Cherry-Evans and Walker steering the ship in 2026.
The combination orchestrated a highly impressive 12-6 defeat against the ladder-leading Panthers in mid-August, but now Trent Robinson will be forced to seek out an alternative for the remainder of this season.
Walker has had a breakout season which saw him don the famous Queensland halfback jersey for the first time in this year's State of Origin series.
He picked up Player of the Match honours in Game 2 in Melbourne after a stand-out performance in a 44-24 demolition of the NSW Blues.
Robinson remained hopeful in his post-match press conference on Saturday night that Walker could make a return, but scan results confirmed the worst for the tri-colours in their push for premiership glory.
The club can opt for Cherry-Evans to slide into his preferred halfback position, while Hugo Savala can take on the five-eighth duties going into September.
Savala has been across the park this year, finding his home in the centres after impressing heavily in his 2025 debut season in the halves.
The Roosters have now suffered back-to-back losses after being toppled by the Wests Tigers last week, and now risk fumbling the NRL's minor premiership after a disappointing week of results.
They will face arch rivals South Sydney to close out the home and away season on Friday night.
