Ben Hunt could return for St George Illawarra on Anzac Day, with the star halfback considered "touch-and-go" to face the Sydney Roosters next week.
Hunt hasn't played for the Dragons since fracturing his leg against Manly in round three, with the Saints having got through largely unscathed since then.
But the No.7's direction and composure was missed on Sunday, as the Warriors' put an end to the Saints' early-season march with a 20-14 win at Kogarah.
Hunt is back running at training, with the club set to make a call early in the week on if he will return at the SCG.
"He had a big run yesterday, it's still touch and go," coach Anthony Griffin said.
"He's a chance. But I don't think he's a good chance. But we'll see how he recovers after yesterday."
Hunt's fitness could become even more important after five-eighth Corey Norman hurt his shoulder late in the home loss.
Norman has so far stood up in Hunt's absence, and the Dragons still completed at 85 per cent against a Warriors team that made only one error on Sunday.
But they lost their way at times on the last tackle, and Hunt's inclusion would be significant on the big occasion of Anzac Day against the star-studded Roosters.
The Dragons' loss left them sixth on the ladder, still firmly within the top eight despite starting the season as wooden-spoon favourites.
"When your captain and halfback isn't playing, you'd always like him to be there," Griffin said.
"We did enough to win the game today. We were really clean with the ball too ... But when we made our errors it was at a crucial time once we hit the lead.
"I thought (Norman) was good. He created enough for us there today at different times. He tried to take the line on himself.
"We got lost a little bit on the last plays a couple times but I have been really happy with him.
"When (Ben)' ready, he'll be ready. We had our chances today even when he wasn't there."
Meanwhile Josh McGuire offered plenty of good signs for the Dragons, playing 57 minutes and running for 130 metres just five days after arriving from North Queensland.
