Newcastle coach Nathan Brown has renewed his calls for an 18th man to be available in NRL games to cover concussions.
The Knights lost Sione Mata'utia and Brendan Elliot to concussions in the second half of their 24-18 loss to South Sydney on Saturday, leaving them with just two players on the bench.
Aggravating the situation was winger Nathan Ross struggling with an ankle injury and Brown said he was forced to stay on the field due to the lack of cover.
Such a problem would be eradicated if a reserve were available for concussed players, Brown said.
"We're supposed to be protecting the players but we're leaving blokes who are out there hurt, out of position," he said.
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"How's that make sense? The game has got to address this."
The Knights are embroiled battle over their management of former winger James McManus's concussions late in his career.
McManus retired on medical grounds in 2016 following his final on-field concussion the year before, and his case was mentioned in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday.
Newcastle have denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
Brown, who was not at the club at the time, said NRL teams were on board with the concussion protocol and doctors were extra-cautious and eager to rule players out.
However, he worried about the effect that might have on the likes of Ross, who he was concerned would further aggravate his ankle worry on Saturday night.
"All these players that are playing when they're under duress are at risk," he said.
"We know why (the concussion rule) has been addressed - which is great, we're all on side.
"But we're not addressing the rule that needs addressing."
Meanwhile, winger Elliot was lucky to remain on the field following a first-half high shot from Rabbitohs centre Hymel Hunt.
He passed an on-field check before being removed following a separate incident in the second half.
But Brown questioned how it would have been fair for him to lose a player with a failed test, while Hunt, who was on report, stayed on the field.
"There's no common sense at all," Brown said.
Brown said he had no issue with captain Trent Hodkinson being sin-binned late in the match after he accused referee David Munro of costing the Knights the contest.
