South Sydney's hopes of seeing Latrell Mitchell play again in 2024 have received a boost, with the Rabbitohs delaying a decision to send the fullback for surgery.
Livewire Jye Gray will start at fullback in place of Mitchell against the Dolphins on Thursday after the regular Rabbitohs No.1 sustained a foot injury in last Thursday's win over Parramatta.
An operation would likely have put a line through Mitchell's involvement in the rest of Souths' NRL season.
But after meeting with a specialist, Souths are hopeful two weeks of recovery will allow Mitchell to return later in their campaign.
Gray will be tasked with keeping the Rabbitohs' good run of form going in Mitchell's absence when the Bunnies look to record a sixth-straight win.
The absence of Cameron Murray to Origin duties has brought Michael Chee Kam back into Souths' starting side, while the Dolphins have named Max Plath at hooker with Jeremy Marshall-King sidelined.
The Sydney Roosters also received less positive news on Tuesday night with veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves banned for four matches at the judiciary for a high tackle.
Waerea-Hargreaves had attempted to downgrade his ban for the high shot on St George Illawarra's Max Feagai to a fine, but will now not play until round 25.
The prop's offence came in his club-record 307th game for the Roosters, with the suspension taking his tally of matches missed through judiciary bans to 27.
Meanwhile in Friday's sole game, Wests Tigers have rested Justin Olam as a knee issue continues to plague the Papua New Guinea international with Alex Lobb coming into Benji Marshall's side to face Cronulla.
Without Nicho Hynes, Daniel Atkinson goes into the halves for the Sharks and Sione Katoa returns on the wing.
In Saturday's first game, Gold Coast have put Jayden Campbell in at five-eighth with rapid winger Phillip Sami named on the bench as the Titans host an Eels side deprived of Mitchell Moses.
AJ Brimson is part of the Titans' extended squad and could come into calculations as he works his way back from a groin injury.
Lorenzo Mulitalo - brother of Sharks ace Ronaldo - gets his NRL debut for the Eels, while Charlie Guymer starts at lock and Daejarn Asi takes the No.7 jersey.
St George Illawarra have recalled Mikaele Ravalawa in place of Zac Lomax for Saturday's trip to face Brisbane, who have had to name three hookers in their 17-man squad such is the extent of their injury crisis.
In Sunday's standalone game, Newcastle have named an incredibly inexperienced backline to take on Manly with Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best all on Origin duty.
Tom Trbojevic returns to his usual role of fullback after just one week of playing in the centres.
