Adam Reynolds responds to worrying NRL injury reports after long-term absence at Broncos

Injured Brisbane halfback Adam Reynolds has refuted reports he's set to be ruled out for the remainder of the NRL season after revealing he's "on track" in his recovery from a ruptured bicep. The veteran Broncos halfback was ruled out for three months after suffering the injury in the round nine loss to the Roosters.

The 33-year-old has been working towards a return for Brisbane in around four weeks, but reports this week emerged that Reynolds may not play again this season. The development has sparked plenty of debate around the Brisbane playmaker, but Reynolds has come out and declared that there is no substance behind the reports.

When asked to respond to suggestions the Broncos' medical team had ruled him out of action for the rest of the season, Reynolds replied: “Not true, I’m on track to play as scheduled.” Reynolds and the Broncos are targeting either the round 22 derby against the Gold Coast or the away game against the Cowboys in Townsville the following week for the veteran half's return.

Adam Reynolds 'on track' to return to NRL in August

The Titans game on August 3 would represent the best-case scenario for Reynolds' return but the club could play it more cautiously with their inspirational skipper and push his comeback game back to August 10 against the Cowboys. The Broncos are in the middle of a four-game losing streak with a tough home game coming up against defending premiers Penrith on Friday night.

Brisbane have looked rudderless without their veteran halfback running the show and could desperately use his experience as they look to break back into the top eight. Broncos coach Kevin Walters says it's still too early to set an exact return date for Reynolds but revealed the club is happy with where his recovery is at and how he's been training.

“It is a bit early to predict when he will be back but he is running well and his body weight is good,” Walters said. “He looks fresh and happy. His return will probably be a bit later than (round 20).” In the absence of their skipper, Brisbane have lost five games from nine to slip out of the top-eight, with back-up playmaker Jock Madden failing to fire in the veteran's absence.

Broncos urged to cut out the errors in their game

NRL great Cooper Cronk said last month that the Broncos need to cut out the errors from their game that continue to hold the side back. Cronk warned the Broncos that Reynolds' return wouldn't fix those issues after Walters admitted his side had "the worst completion rate in the competition". And club great Darren Lockyer agreed that the team needed to forget about Reynolds' return for now and focus on cutting out the silly errors in their game.

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“There’s no point talking about it because the Broncos can’t get him (Reynolds) back any time soon,” Lockyer said. “Every time we talk about it, I think it’s a distraction for someone like Ezra (Mam) and Jock (Madden). It is what it is. Bring Reece Walsh back in, there’s points there, but they still have to find a way to build pressure to create opportunities. At the moment, the Broncos are trying to force those opportunities without building pressure.”

Walters' side will be boosted by the return of Origin stars Walsh, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan for Friday night's grand final against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium. However, the Broncos will be without the likes of prop Ben Te Kura (foot) and second-rowers Jordan Riki (suspended) and Jaiyden Hunt (hand), leaving them with just seven middle and edge forwards to pick from in a serious test of the club's depth.