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Sydney Roosters pair Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco are likely to be rested for next week's NRL clash with Canterbury.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has all but confirmed co-captain Boyd Cordner will be rested next week despite dropping their third NRL game in a row.

The Roosters were upset 19-10 by Penrith on Sunday after being without a number of stars, including the rested Latrell Mitchell and Angus Crichton.

Luke Keary and Jake Friend were also missing due to injury, while prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was suspended.

All three will again be missing for next week's match against Canterbury, however Mitchell and Crichton are expected to return ahead of State of Origin II.

NSW teammates Cordner and Tedesco, who were among the Roosters best against the Panthers, are likely to get their turn to ice up.

Tedesco broke a game-high seven tackles in the defeat.

Robinson said he expected more from the players who have been given larger roles in the absence of their bigger names.

"I expect guys that are putting on that jersey to do better than what we did today, no matter how many games you played or what position you are," Robinson said.

"If we've got to cross our fingers for James Tedesco, or Boyd Cordner, then that's not what we want."

The three-game losing streak is their worst in three years, and leaves them four points behind ladder leaders Melbourne and within distance of the chasing pack.

Robinson said it was imperative the team doesn't pin their barren run on the quality of players missing from their line-up.

"That's never the excuse. We just haven't handled the last three games as well as what we would've liked," he said.

"We would've liked to have executed better. I thought we were a good chance to win the game today, we just couldn't find that bit of a break to get on top."