UPDATE: McInnes sidelined for up to 12 weeks
The Dragons have confirmed that Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues hopeful Cameron McInnes has sustained a medium to high grade MCL injury in the side's Grand Final loss to the Cowboys at the NRL Nines on Sunday.
He is expected to be sidelined between 6-12 weeks and is all but certain to miss the opening rounds of the new season.
“Cam’s suffered a medium to high grade MCL injury to his left knee,” the club’s head of athletic performance Nathan Pickworth told the dragons.com.au.
“We were reviewing with the specialist yesterday and a few scans and typically (the) time frame for this is anywhere between six and 12 weeks.
"The specifics of that time frame will be determined by how quickly the ligament tightens up, that’ll be reassessed late this week."
McInnes is set for another big season with the Red V after he was announced as the club's new captain following a campaign that saw him claim the Dragon's Player of the Year honours.
The Dragons will be made to rue a heavy injury toll following the weekend with young gun Matt Dufty suffering a broken cheekbone and Korbin Sims having a suspected broken arm.
They start their new campaign with a Round 1 clash against the Wests Tigers on Sunday 15 March at WIN Stadium.