Latrell Mitchell’s participation in the rest of the 2026 season has been thrown into doubt due to the complexity of his injury.
The South Sydney star is reportedly seeing a specialist neurologist in a last-ditch bid to return to action and help the Rabbitohs in their push for the finals as the regular season winds to a close.
The 29-year-old is currently suffering from ‘complex nerve damage’ that has led to complications in his lower back and left leg.
The Bunnies revealed on Tuesday there was no official timeframe for Mitchell’s return to action.
However, on their website the Rabbitohs said the State of Origin star was a week-to-week proposition as he looks to recover from the injury.
His setback is a major blow to South Sydney as they expected to have their star centre return to action after just a couple of weeks.
Latrell Mitchell initially suffered the back injury in week nine against Newcastle before aggravating the issue against the Dolphins in week 11
Mitchell will now see a neurological specialist as he seeks to return to action this season after suffering ‘complex nerve damage’
It is the latest in what has a been three years of injury struggles for the New South Wales star
But there have been complications with his recovery since the injury he suffered against Newcastle in week nine.
The initial problem did, in fact, only sideline Mitchell for a couple of weeks as he returned against the Dolphins, but that appearance saw Mitchell aggravate the initial problem.
He suffered a further calf problem in training as he was ramping up preparations to make a return.
According to the Rabbitohs medical team, the belief is the pain in his calf is related to a nerve issue in his back.
Still dealing with pain, Mitchell has sought out an appointment with a neurologist to determine a recovery plan for his return to the NRL.
In a statement, the club laid out the plans for Mitchell, ‘Centre Latrell Mitchell has undergone further investigations and consultation with a specialist neurologist last week.
‘Mitchell is trying to overcome complex nerve damage that initially created complications with a lower back injury, and now a calf issue in his left leg.
‘Mitchell will remain a week-to-week proposition as to a return to the field of play.’
The New South Wales star has seen injuries plague his last three seasons as he featured in just 11 games in the 2024 and 2025 seasons and has played just nine games so far this year.
Mitchell’s latest absence adds to the already piling up injury crisis that is threatening to derail the Souths’ top-eight hopes as they currently cling on to seventh place in the league.
Both Tallis Duncan and Cameron Murray will be sidelined due to muscle injuries
Cameron Murray and Tallis Duncan were recently added to the mounting injury list after their loss to the Raiders last weekend.
South Sydney confirmed their captain is set for an extended period of time on the sidelines after a scan on his calf injury.
Duncan is also going to miss up to three weeks with a hamstring problem.
That trio joins Talanoa Penitani (hamstring), Adam Elliott (ankle), Sean Keppie (thumb) and Dayne Jennings (knee) on a list of key players missing time.
