Star halfback Adam Reynolds of the Brisbane Broncos has assured fans that his recent ankle injury is not severe, alleviating concerns raised during the club’s pre-season training on Monday.
Footage showed Reynolds leaving the field with a noticeable limp, apparently unable to put weight on his right foot after the session. Given his crucial role in the team’s bid to replicate their 2023 grand final performance, Reynolds underwent scans to assess the extent of the injury.
Fortunately, the scans revealed only a minor ankle sprain, characterized as a “foot muscle strain” in the club’s statement. Dave Ballard, the head of performance, explained that Reynolds sustained the injury during a drill toward the end of the session.
Following the diagnosis, Ballard stated, “We’ll see how Adam pulls up over the next 24 hours, but he is a quick healer, and we expect him to be back running in the coming days.”
While the halfback is expected to return to training next week, the pre-season schedule constraints might keep him off the field for a slightly longer duration. Reynolds mentioned to The Sydney Morning Herald that in a mid-season scenario, he would push to avoid missing any games. However, with a plan in place to skip the pre-season trials and preserve his longevity, he expressed confidence in returning by the end of the week.
In 2023, Reynolds missed a few games, prompting ongoing discussions about his fitness. Despite these concerns, all indications suggest that he will sign a one-year extension with Brisbane, extending his career into 2025.
Should Reynolds need backup in the number seven position for the 2024 season, Jock Madden, formerly with the Wests Tigers, is the likely candidate. Madden is eager for increased opportunities at the club and aims to be the successor when Reynolds eventually decides to retire.
The Broncos’ pre-season challenge includes matches against the Cowboys and Sea Eagles, followed by a historic double-header in Las Vegas, where they will kick off the NRL season on March 2 (March 3 Australian time) against the Sydney Roosters.
