The Panthers on Thursday night remained coy on the details of Leniu's injury but AAP has been told the Samoa international is expected to miss a couple of weeks with the setback.
That would be enough to rule him out of Origin I for NSW, with Brad Fittler to name his team on May 21.
Leniu has not previously played for the Blues but had entered into calculations in recent weeks on the back of a strong run of form for the Panthers.
The prop battled a calf injury a fortnight ago, and missed the Panthers' shock loss to Wests Tigers in round nine.
In better news for the Panthers and NSW, Liam Martin is on track to return from a hamstring injury against the Roosters on Friday night.
Martin has managed only one match since he was injured in round two, aggravating the problem in his initial comeback game against Newcastle in round seven.
The 26-year-old back-rower has trained with Penrith this week, and assuming he pulls up well on Friday morning he is likely to face the Roosters.
If he does return, that would give him two games before NSW enter camp for the May 31 series opener against Queensland.
Martin has played all six games for the Blues in the past two series, and was used as a starting second-rower throughout last season.
9°C