Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo could follow NRL counterpart James Graham and seek independent advice on concussions to safeguard his long-term health.
The Panthers have ordered Yeo to front a specialist this week as a precautionary measure after suffering head knocks over the NRL’s opening fortnight.
It comes as the NRL investigate the second-rower’s delayed return from a concussion in Saturday’s win over Newcastle as part of their weekly review.
It was initially feared Yeo was ruled out for the rest of the game after copping a stray elbow from teammate Sione Katoa in the third-minute.
However, Panthers officials claim there was some confusion in communication between ground officials and the host broadcaster while Yeo was in the sheds.
The 24-year-old eventually returned late in the first half and finished the match.
“They were just trying to stop a bit of the bleeding. I passed all my tests no dramas,” Yeo said.
“I think they ended up using an interchange there because I was taking so long. That was the factor. They couldn’t stop the bleeding and the stitches.”
The friendly fire came less than a week after getting floored by a high tackle from Michael Jennings that resulted in the Parramatta centre’s sin-binning.
Yeo was limited in training for the entire week, but said the latest blow have forced club medical staff to organise for Yeo to undergo further testing.
“I’m going to see someone this week – just precautionary – just to make sure. Obviously a couple of little stuns two weeks in a row now,” Yeo said.
“So I’ll go see someone and make sure it’s all doing fine and go from there.”
Concussion has again been a hot topic in the league over the opening fortnight.
Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns claimed his recent battle with epilepsy may have been a result of repeated head knocks over his career.
And St George Illawarra veteran James Graham drew criticism for suggesting players should play Oztag as an alternative to avoiding concussions.
However Graham did reveal he had gone beyond NRL advice and sought independent testing to further understand the risks involved with head traumas.
“The onus is sometimes on the player, but as a club, they’re very proactive with doing that,” Yeo said.
“If it ever got to that point, then obviously I would, as an individual, be proactive with that. (But) the club’s very good with that.”