Gold Coast Titans lock Jai Arrow was taken to hospital suffering rib and abdominal pain following a tackle early in his side's 14-point loss to the Canberra Raiders.
The mystery injury is not related to the back spasms which have plagued the 22-year-old in recent weeks.
Coach Garth Brennan was unable to provide an accurate update of Arrow's condition post-match.
"The doctor was a bit vague himself, there was abdominal pain and maybe rib damage," Brennan said.
"When you've got chest and abdominal pain it's important we get that checked out straight away, so he's off to hospital to sort it out."
It is a cruel blow for Arrow, who has been touted as a possible Holden State of Origin bolter for Queensland this year.
Gold Coast's go-forward was also severely hampered when they lost prop Jarrod Wallace with a virus in the first half.
"It was a case of showing no signs in the warm-up but as soon as the game started he had stomach cramps and had to come off the field," Brennan said.
"He had vomiting and wasn't well at all, it was a bit of a loss when you don't see that coming."
Apart from a 10-minute burst after half-time when the Titans were able to cut the lead to eight points, the away side rarely looked in the game.
Brennan said his side's performance at times was "men versus boys" as the Titans fell to their sixth loss in the Telstra Premiership.
"I say it every week, they never gave up, they scored the last try and down to no reserves, I could use all of those excuses but I'm not going to,'' he said.
"At the end of the day, there's some errors and fundamental mistakes which just aren't NRL standard to be honest."
A turning point in the clash came in the 52nd minute when Konrad Hurrell threw a wild pass over the sideline when the Titans had cut the lead back to just eight points after being down by 20 at the break.
Brennan said Hurrell is his harshest critic but admitted those types of mistakes are hindering their season.
"They are things as a coach I can't accept, they are things players have to work at and take accountability for," he said.
Titans skipper Ryan James said the debut of teenager Moeaki Fotuaika was one highlight.
"He was unbelievable, probably the only positive to take out of today," James said.
"For him not to make a school side two or three years ago, come to an open trial, push for a spot in the 20s side, train his arse off to get into first grade, make the top 30 and debut at 18.
"That just shows what kind of character he has, so it's great for the club."
Titans press conference - Round 9
