Curtis Scott’s clenched fist will leave Dylan Walker sidelined for six weeks after scans confirmed the Manly star had suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Walker did not return to the field after he was punched by Scott during the second half of the Sea Eagles’ 24-4 win over Melbourne on Saturday night.
Scott, a potential NSW State of Origin bolter was sent off as a result of the punch, which came as Walker had his arms by his side after an earlier brawl.
If Scott is charged on Sunday as a result of the incident, it’s understood the match review committee can take Walker’s injury into account when determining the grading.
Walker was sin-binned as a result of the incident but was instead replaced by winger Matt Wright, from the bench, for the remainder of the match.
The Manly centre posted a photo to social media after the match of his injured eye socket with a caption of “talk s**t get hit … Well done sir”.
Intriguingly, it means Walker’s return match will likely come in the grudge match against the Storm in round 18 at Brookvale.
The injury is a massive blow to Manly, who had likely planned on shifting Walker back to the centres after the signing of Trent Hodkinson last week.
Winger Jorge Taufua is due back from a shoulder injury against Canberra next Friday night.
Moses Suli was upgraded to an NRL contract to replace Walker in the centres a fortnight ago when he originally moved to the halves.