Updated August 10, 2026 — 5:57pm,first published August 10, 2026 — 9:16amPenrith are hoping their inspirational co-captain Isaah Yeo can make a swift recovery from a pectoral injury in time for the NRL finals – and possibly as early as round 27 against Wests Tigers – after putting surgery on hold.The Panthers confirmed on Monday Yeo would not require immediate surgery, and said the lock forward had already commenced “rehabilitation in a bid to return to the field during the 2026 NRL season”.Isaah Yeo will avoid surgery and remains an outside chance of returning for the Panthers.Getty ImagesThere were fears Yeo’s season was over after he reeled out of a tackle clutching his pec in the first half of the Panthers’ 28-12 loss to the New Zealand Warriors on Friday nightHe was spotted with a Game Ready ice compression machine strapped to his right pec at the Panthers Academy on Monday.A club spokesperson not authorised to speak publicly confirmed Yeo would be given every chance to prove his fitness in time for week one of the finals.An even better scenario, according to the same club source, would be for Yeo to return in the final round of the regular season against Wests Tigers and get a run under his belt before the more rigorous tests in September.Panthers captain Isaah Yeo charges into the Warriors’ defence before injuring his pec on Friday night.Getty ImagesYeo has made it known to Panthers officials he hopes to be fit enough to captain Australia at the World Cup in October and early November before going under the knife.The suggestion in the Panthers statement that Yeo would require surgery at some point indicates he suffered a high-grade partial tear or even a rupture, according to several medical sources.No player in the NRL has returned to play from a ruptured pectoral without surgery. The only player to have overcome a serious tear without the need for surgery was Michael Gordon, who was back in six weeks while playing for the Sydney Roosters in 2017.The main problem for Yeo, 31, will not be the pain but his range of movement and effectiveness in the middle of the park.Manly star Tom Trbojevic ruptured his pectoral muscles in 2019 and 2023 and said he flirted with the idea of delaying surgery on the first occasion due to the Sea Eagles being in finals contention and Australia playing Tests against New Zealand and Tonga at the end of that year, but soon realised he was no chance and had the operation.Yeo’s enforced absence from the field will give player and club the chance to hold negotiations over a contract extension. Yeo, the club’s most capped player, remains without a deal beyond 2027, but has made it known he would like to keep playing.The Panthers host the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night, then travel to Melbourne to face the Storm, who will have Cameron Munster on deck after the match review committee backflipped on a one-match ban and instead handed him a fine for a dangerous tackle.Lindsay Smith is one option to replace Yeo at No.13, along with Isaiah Papali’i and Billy Phillips, while Luron Patea, 21, and 29-year-old Kalani Leuluai-Going are decent middle-forward bench options.Fullback Dylan Edwards is likely to return from a shoulder injury against the Roosters, while Mitch Kenny (foot/ankle) and Casey McLean (hand) are also due back before September starts.News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.From our partners