Weitering "cleared of major injury" following Origin collision

Carlton superstar Jacob Weitering has escaped major injury, with the Blues confirming the defender has been discharged from hospital ahead of further assessment.

Early in the first term, the Blues defender entered a marking contest from behind and was caught underneath a falling Mitch Georgiades, sandwiched between he and the ground with high impact.

Umpires halted play as Weitering was stretchered off the ground with suspected rib and shoulder damage.

7News' Ryan Daniels has confirmed that it's a shoulder/rib injury for the Blue.

"The concern is for his shoulder and for his ribs, both of those areas," Daniels told Channel Seven.

"They spent a lot of time trying to get him off the ground. He was taken into the rooms, and they have decided they are going to take him to hospital.

"He has got into an ambulance, they took a lot of time and care getting him in there, and they have sent him to hospital for precautionary scans.

"It's the last thing you want to see in any game of footy."

Speaking in the aftermath, Victoria head coach Chris Scott has revealed that the injury is one of high concern, with Weitering expected to miss a chunk of the home and away season.

That said, the Blues confirmed via this statement on Sunday morning that the star has been cleared of any major long-term concerns.

The Carlton Football Club can confirm that co-vice captain Jacob Weitering has been discharged from hospital and cleared to return home to Melbourne this morning.

Weitering was stretchered from the field in the first quarter of Saturday night’s State of Origin game and was taken to hospital where he was assessed - and ultimately cleared - of any neck, spinal or major internal injury.

The 28-year-old does have some soreness around the chest area which requires further assessment and the Club will be in a position to provide a more accurate recovery timeline by the middle of the week, once he is further monitored by Blues medical staff in the coming days.

“First and foremost we are grateful Jacob is okay and has been cleared of any major injury - it is a positive outcome given the circumstances,” Blues GM of Football Chris Davies said.

“While Jacob is feeling sore this morning, he has avoided significant damage, so we will manage him as needed while we ramp up our preparations for the start of the season.

“Although that moment in the game was unfortunate, it does not take away from the fact that our football club is incredibly proud of both Jacob and Patrick for earning the honour to represent their respective states. It is a fantastic career achievement that both Jacob and Patrick can hold deer to them for the remainder of their careers.”

In other Origin injury news, Port Adelaide star Mitch Georgiades and GWS star Sam Taylor were both withdrawn from the contest at half time with reported hamstring awareness.

"There is another player that won't play any part in tonight's game. It is Mitch Georgiades, Port Adelaide star," Daniels confirmed.

"He has got hamstring awareness - he is also done for the night."

It was confirmed midway through the third term that Taylor would no longer take part.

"I've had confirmation from the WA crew that Sam Taylor is also out of the game with hamstring awareness," said Channel Seven's Abbey Holmes.

"It will be a watch on that in the week to come."

Beyond those sidelined early, Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell (finger) and newest Crow recruit Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) were also withdrawn early with minor concerns.

More to come.