Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said "he felt like crying" when veteran Blake Green left the field with a suspected ACL injury in the Knights' win over the Cowboys on Sunday.
Green, 33, went down in what looked like an innocuous tackle in the 18th minute in his third game in Knights colours after being signed until the end of the 2020 season.
He was hoping to find a deal for 2021 with the club but could be facing retirement instead as the club battles a huge injury toll.
The Knights currently sit in sixth position on the ladder with Souths and Cronulla hot on their heels.
Green becomes the ninth player ruled out for O'Brien with Andrew McCullough (hamstring) Connor Watson (Achilles) and Jayden Brailey (knee) other members of the spine to have been sidelined for the season.
Asked about the injury after the game, Knights coach Adam O'Brien said it "doesn't look good" but didn't confirm the diagnosis.
"He's shattered," he said. "I felt like crying with him. But I'm getting used to it now though, I've had to do it a few times this year — it's carnage.
"It's not good, it's a bit like soldiers getting repeatedly shot, it's unbelievable.
"I feel for him at the moment but we have a crew that he can work with for the rest of the year as part of the coaching staff. Too big a crew at the moment."
O'Brien admitted there may be a tough road ahead for Green but was optimistic about how the playmaker would bounce back from the devastating injury.
"What he's done for us straight away, and he's certainly had a great season what he did with the Warriors, he had an impact with us," he said.
"I definitely think he can overcome this. Andrew McCullough is in the same boat. He was outstanding for us so both of those guys, if they choose to go that way, certainly offer a lot."
While O'Brien remained positive about Green's prospects, Newcastle legend Andrew Johns questioned whether Green could continue his career in the NRL into his mid-30's, coming off a serious knee injury.
"He's 34 next month, coming to the end of his career and he's played a lot of footy," Johns told Wide World of Sports' The Final Whistle. "You've got to question whether he'll go on."
Nobody will feel the loss harder than Mitchell Pearce as he started to carve out a solid combination with Green, along with Kalyn Ponga at fullback.
Green was brought in to ease the attacking load off Pearce so the former Blues halfback could focus on picking his times more while the former Warrior would handle the game management side of things.
Johns said the Knights were certain to play finals football even with their massive list of injuries. He added that with another man down, Newcastle will need to add more variety to their attack rather than relying on Ponga to create all their points.
"They'll play finals footy for sure, they've got a great run in so it maybe a chance of making top four but they'll have to improve dramatically," he said.
"Tough conditions, it was windy but they had enough field position and ball to score half a dozen tries.
"Obviously Kalyn Ponga puts the cherry on top towards the end but he's the man most likely.
"Everything, any spark, seems to be coming from Kalyn. They need more options in attack without doubt."
from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-newcastle-coach-adam-obrien-injuries/59230789-4139-4c76-97d3-c3718c82d39b
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