According to  underground survivor sites, it appears that the always assumed notion of Rob and Russell receiving immunity until the merge might not be accurate. It was hinted that something took place early in the game that made it seem like this may not be possible.???!!!

HMMMMMMM! I always thoght Rob and Russell would be protected until the merge so as not to ruin the concept before it has a chance to get going (meaning one of them getting the boot early) but now with the Redemption Island twist where voted out players can get themselves back into the game, the immunity to the merge may not be needed. Either way S22 is shaping up like some sort of a circus. 

This will for sure be a different game alltogether!!