Adam Reynolds won’t play for Brisbane against Penrith in round three’s grand-final rematch, while prop Payne Haas is also in doubt, Kevin Walters says.

Reynolds sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) strain and Haas injured a knee in the 28-18 win over South Sydney on Thursday night.

Broncos captain Reynolds will be replaced by 24-year-old half Jock Madden for Thursday’s away clash with the Panthers.

Reynolds and Haas were in rehab at training on Sunday, and neither took part in the team session.

“Payne has been named but we are not 100 per cent sure he will be playing yet,” Walters said.

“He has still got a bit of a problem with his knee. He’s had some scans and there wasn’t too much there, but … he is still not right to go at this stage.

“Reyno won’t be playing and won’t be named. He is out.”

If Haas is unable to play, Walters said prop Xavier Willison would come into the 17 to face the Panthers.

Fullback Reece Walsh sustained a minor injury in the win over the Rabbitohs and was in a no-contact red training bib on Sunday.

After doing his own warm-up, Walsh took part in an opposed session against Broncos affiliate club Wynnum-Manly.

“Reece is fine. He just has a bit of a cork. He will be right,” Walters said.

Former Wests Tigers playmaker Madden featured in five NRL games for the Broncos last year when Reynolds or No.6 Ezra Mam were out injured and handled himself well.

“Every time Jock has had an opportunity he has played really well for us, so we expect no different on Thursday night in Penrith,” Walters said.

“It is a great opportunity for Jock to showcase his skills. He is a different player to Reyno but an equally important member of the team.

“He is still maturing and we have a lot of confidence in him and the skillset he brings to the club.”

Walters said the Broncos would err on the side of caution with key players such as Reynolds and Haas at this time of the year.

“We are two rounds in and we are keeping in mind the health and welfare of our players,” Walters said.

“We are making sure if they do take the field they are in a position where they can do their roles capably.

“Each injury is different and each player is different. It is player welfare more than anything.”

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Panthers reportedly extend future of centre

The Penrith Panthers have reportedly extended the contract of young centre Paul Alamoti, adding further depth to their backline for the future.

Regarded as one of the best young centres in the competition, Alamoti made his NRL debut last season for the Canterbury Bulldogs and would play a further 18 games in 2023.

An Under-19s NSW representative in 2022, he played in the Bulldogs’ Harold Matthews Cup, SG Ball Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup teams before seeing him rise into the NRL.

At the Panthers, he has begun the season for the club’s NSW Cup team.

As reported by News Corp, the Penrith Panthers have extended Alamoti’s contract for an extra year until the end of the 2025 season.

Recruited from the Canterbury Bulldogs last season on a one-year deal, the contract extension gives the club a backup plan in case Taylan May decides to leave the club at the end of the season.

Off-contract at the end of the season, May has been linked to the Canterbury Bulldogs, but Panthers CEO Matt Cameron is confident that the club can re-sign him for multiple years.

“Conversations are progressing well with Taylan’s management representatives,” Cameron told The Western Weekender.

“He is a valued member of our playing group and the club is confident we can get something sorted out sooner rather than later.”

His agent from Black Money Enterprises also told the publication that talks were progressing well.

“Negotiations with the Panthers are ongoing but positive,” he said.

“Given Taylan’s strong showing in the World Club Challenge and against the Storm last week, obviously there’s heavy interest from numerous clubs.

“Taylan’s a very intelligent young man with great guidance from his family, so I’m sure he will make the right decision in due time.”