Manly are hopeful Tom Trbojevic's groin injury is not serious after the superstar fullback limped from the field in the Sea Eagles' 22-16 win over Wests Tigers at Campbelltown.
Trbojevic pulled up short on a run and felt for his groin, before leaving the field soon afterwards with nine minutes remaining.
At the point of his exit, the Tigers led 16-14 and looked likely to seal a huge boilover and claim their first win in 267 days.
However, from the next set Manly were able to reclaim the lead when Daly Cherry-Evans put up a cross-field kick for towering winger Jason Saab to score.
A late penalty goal then ensured Manly's rise to second on the ladder.
The result leaves the 0-7 Tigers with the worst start to a season by any team since South Sydney in 2008.
But the concern for Manly and NSW State of Origin officials will be Trbojevic, who will be scanned on Monday.
"He's twinged his groin. They didn't feel as though it was serious," Manly coach Anthony Seibold said.
"He felt as though he could have kept on going.
"But he knows his body well and thought it was best to come off rather than hurt his body further."
"He will be frustrated; I know talking to him he is frustrated. But it was quite innocuous."
With his fitness a worry in recent weeks, the fullback was chased down by Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu in the first half and didn't go the distance from a linebreak later on.
But Manly are adamant the 2021 Dally M Medallist has not had other setbacks this year, after a frustrating four seasons with hamstring and shoulder injuries.
"I was behind him when the incident happened. On a wet dewy night, it was so innocuous," captain Daly Cherry-Evans said.
"I feel like that's something that is not uncommon on a wet dewy night. I reckon he was pretty unlucky."
Manly centre Brad Parker also suffered a knee injury, after battling several similar issues in the past.
The injuries overshadowed Haumole Okakau'atu's continued push for a NSW jersey, highlighted by roles in Manly's first two tries.
A week after putting on the hit of the year on Justin Olam, Olakau'atu produced an offload with three men on him in his own half to help lay on Manly's first from within his own half.
Olakau'atu scored the Sea Eagles' next when he ran a clever line to hit a Cherry-Evans ball at speed and go over untouched after a Luke Brooks' misread and make it 12-0.
But the Tigers were able to fight back to 14-12 down through tries to Starford To'A and the impressive Apisai Koroisau.
And when To'A stepped Manly debutant Samuela Fainu on the right edge, the Tigers had the lead in a game for the first time since the 13th minute in round one.
Fullback Jahream Bula also offered hope on debut, with plenty of involvements in the first half and a brilliant escape from his own in-goal after the break.
But like so often for Tigers fans, the hope was short-lived, as Saab's late try consigned the joint-venture to a 12th straight loss.
"It's been like that for a number of weeks," Tigers coach Tim Sheens said.
"If we weren't putting an effort in, I would be disappointed. If we weren't staying in a game I would be disappointed.
"There's improvement. I am still happy with the way everyone's attitude is. It's always execution."
