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A nasty throat injury will force Brisbane winger Dale Copley to miss the start of the NRL season, sidelining him for two months.
Luckless Brisbane back Dale Copley is facing the prospect of at least two months on the sidelines after injuring his throat in Friday's NRL trial match for the Broncos.
The 29-year-old underwent a laryngoscopy after scans showed he'd suffered dislocated cartilage and a small fracture during the clash with Wynnum-Manly, which finished in a 22-all draw.
The procedure showed Copley has suffered "significant trauma" to his throat as well as swelling in his airway.
Brisbane head of performance Andrew Croll said Copley will now have to take a complete break from exercise for at least a week before a further laryngoscopy will determine if he needs to undergo surgery.
"He will need at least six weeks out of contact," Croll said.
'We will have to see how it settles to determine on when he can return to low-intensity exercise."
The news is a blow for Copley, whose 143-game first-grade career has been marred by injury, as he prepared for a second stint at Brisbane following time with the Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast.