Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds will miss Saturday night's clash with North Queensland with a back complaint and is set to start the NRL season without any game-time under his belt.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is taking no risks with his talismanic halfback and leader and said Reynolds was on track to play against defending premiers Penrith in the club's season opener on March 3.
Reynolds completed Tuesday's training at camp in Twin Waters resort on the Sunshine Coast without issue before waking up Wednesday morning with a tight back.
"Adam ran well yesterday including some extras but is a bit tight in his back this morning so he won't train today at the main session, which will mean he won't play against the Cowboys," Walters said.
"We want him cherry ripe for round one and he's moving really well after a big pre-season, so there's no use taking a risk with him in a trial game in these circumstances."
The 32-year-old Reynolds has not trained in full at every session with the Broncos this pre-season. He has been seen doing his own individual work, as well as chiming in with the team.
Reynolds' absence has opened the door for former Wests Tigers playmaker Jock Madden to wear the No.7 jersey in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge showdown at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Madden was unavailable for Sunday's 24-all draw with the Gold Coast due to a minor hamstring strain. He will partner Ezra Mam in the halves in what looms as an early shootout for the No.6 jersey this year.
Mam has the inside running and is set to start the season at five-eighth but Madden is highly rated by Walters and has an opportunity in his first game for the Broncos to state his case.
The Broncos are already without fullback whiz Reece Walsh for the Cowboys game after he suffered a facial fracture against the Titans.
