Queensland Origin centre Josh Hannay was taken to hospital with a suspected spinal injury suffered during his NRL side's thrilling 24-20 victory over Parramatta.

The serious injury marred a courageous victory for the Cowboys - only their second this year - who were reduced to 15 fit men after hooker Aaron Payne (quads strain) also failed to finish the match at Parramatta Stadium in front of 8,272 people.

Eels skipper Nathan Cayless was placed on report for a 30th minute high shot which resulted in goal-kicking centre Hannay being taken from the field on a medi-cab with his neck in a brace.

"He was unconscious for a period of time and when he got up he had no feeling or power in his right leg," said club doctor Greg Winter about Hannay, who has a long-term lower back problem.

"He had no pain in his neck or spine so everything we did was precautionary.

"He's a presumed spinal injury and all precautions have been taken.

"He reckons he was hit from behind so we expect a hyperextension injury. It stretched the central part of the spine."

Hannay was transferred to Westmead Hospital where he will undergo CT scans and should be discharged.

It's unclear whether he'll be able to attend a Maroons camp for the 22-man preliminary squad in Brisbane starting on Sunday night.

In a fiery match punctuated by several brawls, referee Jason Robinson sin-binned opposing props Paul Rauhihi and Craig Stapleton after the pair were involved in a midfield dust-up in the 54th minute.

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