Melbourne fear Ryan Papenhuyzen will miss up to the first seven rounds of the NRL season, with the superstar fullback still at least two months away from returning from a knee injury.
Papenhuyzen has not played since he fractured his kneecap in a sickening collision with Jack Wighton last July, and has since spent time in the US seeking treatment.
The reality of Papenhuyzen's recovery was laid bare on Tuesday, with Storm officials confirming the fullback was not on track to return until at least April.
