Sydney Roosters teammates say Luke Keary remains in good spirits as their star halfback starts a recovery from his latest concussion.
Keary's status remains a concern after he received a knee to the back of the head in the Roosters loss to Melbourne on Saturday night.
The concussion is Keary's first since he suffered five head knocks across the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
He was rested for five games midway through 2019.
The 30-year-old has entered concussion protocols and will need an exemption to return for the Roosters clash with Parramatta.
"He's good. We just saw him before. He's still in high spirits," Roosters forward Lindsay Collins said.
"He will just follow the protocols there. He is pretty good with that stuff. He will be honest with himself and honest with the staff.
"Kez will look after himself and the club will look after him as well.
"If he feels as though he is right and gone through all the protocols and ticked all the boxes, that's when we will see him return to play."
If Keary was to miss the Eels match, Sam Walker would be expected to return to the No.7 jersey with Drew Hutchison, Adam Keighran, Lachlan Lam or Joey Manu options as a halves partner.
The Roosters are eighth on the NRL ladder and are at risk of slipping out of a finals-playing position this late in the season for the first time since 2016.
They have a difficult two weeks ahead against the Eels and Penrith, before a lighter run after their round-17 bye.
"We feel really confident in our ability to play footy," Collins said.
"We have a lot of faith in our system in attack and defence. It is just lapses in concentration."
Meanwhile, South Sydney confirmed they had signed Roosters forward Daniel Suluka-Fifita on a three-year deal on Monday, bringing him back to his junior club from next season.
