Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga won't line up for the Knights when they host Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
Ponga picked up a knee complaint in his side's round one win over Sydney Roosters.
The Knights have opted against risking their star fullback with a six-day turnaround to their following game next Saturday.
The injury is not expected to rule Ponga out for an extended period with the No.1 likely to return for the club's round three clash against Penrith in Bathurst.
Tex Hoy will fill in at fullback in the absence of Ponga and will wear the No.20 jersey.
NSW Origin prop Daniel Saifiti was also cut from the Knights' extended squad after failing to recover in time from a hairline fracture of his tibia.
