NRL news 2024: Dolphins star Tom Flegler injury update; Wayne ...
Queensland enforcer Tom Flegler may have played his last game in the NRL as Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett reveals the forward's career is in jeopardy.
Flegler was a marquee buy for the Dolphins in the off-season, signing a lucrative four-year deal, reportedly worth $3 million as he made the switch from the Brisbane Broncos
Bennett confirmed that Flegler is currently fighting to save his career after suffering a nerve injury to his shoulder in round five against the Wests Tigers.
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The injury was initially tipped to put the 24-year-old out for one match, however, he is yet to make a return to the field.
When asked if Flegler's career could be over, Bennett replied: "It could be, it's pretty serious.
"We don't think he will play this year and next year is another issue.
"Nerves are a very difficult thing for doctors to treat, so we're hoping Tom gets back on the field, but we don't know when that could be.
"The nerve just hasn't come back to where it should be.
Tom Flegler and Felise Kaufusi sit on the sidelines after their injuries. Fox League
"Hopefully his career is OK, but there is a real chance Tom may not play again."
Flegler has featured three times in the Origin arena with the Queensland Maroons, but after just four games with the Dolphins, his career took a turn.
According to The Courier Mail, the Dolphins have provided Fleger with red-light therapy, a treatment aimed at increasing blood flow and accelerating rehabilitation.
He has also had two nerve conduction tests in the past two months.
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Flegler's test results have indicated that the nerve in his shoulder is not dead, but it hasn't responded sufficiently for him to return to play.
Should the nerve fail to heal, Flegler will need to undergo nerve-transfer surgery in a last ditch attempt to revive his career.
The worst-case scenario for the young gun is early retirement, but the Dolphins remain confident it will not come to that.
