NRL: Cronulla Sharks' Wade Graham hobbles from field with suspected ACL injury

Wade Graham faces an unlikely race against the clock to be fit for Cronulla's semi-final clash with Penrith next weekend after he injured his knee in the Sharks' 21-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Graham was assisted from the field in the 13th minute when he fumbled a Cooper Cronk kick and collided with Isaac Liu in the lead up to a Roosters try.

He headed straight up the tunnel and only emerged briefly in the second half on crutches, after Cronulla medical staff told the Nine Network there were characteristics of anterior cruciate ligament damage.

"He's going for a scan now," Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said post-match.

"It's hopefully not too bad, but those sort of things aren't a week."

The Sharks co-captain will likely only have six days to recover for the do-or-die Panthers clash, with the game expected to be scheduled at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Graham had been battling an injury in the same strapped right knee, and missed a game with medial damage last month.

The setback continues a frustrating regular season for the Sharks second-rower, who has missed seven matches through hamstring, groin, concussion, knee and cheekbone issues as well as a suspension.

Saturday's injury came after Graham had earlier helped set up the Sharks' first try, when he flicked a ball on their left edge to Ricky Leutele before Sosaia Feki dived over.

Cronulla failed to make the most of subsequent chances, as they bombed three potential tries against a clinical Roosters outfit.