The decimated Panthers will be allowed to include rookies from their development list so they can name enough fit players for their match against the Knights as an unprecedented injury crisis also piles pressure on their salary cap for next year.

So desperate has the plight become at the foot of the mountains, with close to $4 million worth of talent on the sidelines, that Penrith will be given leniency from the NRL just to comply with league rules in naming a 21-man squad on Tuesday.

Busted: Penrith Panthers.

Coach Anthony Griffin is missing up to 10 of Penrith's top-30 roster through injury or suspension - headed by the likes of Nathan Cleary, Josh Mansour, Trent Merrin and Dylan Edwards - threatening their ability to name a full squad.

Their shortfall has been particularly felt in the forwards after losing Merrin to a horrific dislocated finger suffered in the warm-up against the Cowboys on Friday to complement Jack Hetherington's suspension.