Josh Reynolds will play his first NRL game for Canterbury in almost six years after being named as Nu Brown's injury replacement for the round-five clash with North Queensland.
Reynolds, 33, left the Bulldogs in 2017 to join the Wests Tigers and then English Super League side Hull FC, but returned to Belmore at the end of 2022, initially on a train-and-trial deal.
He was upgraded to the top-30 squad before the start of the season and will start on the bench for Sunday's game at Accor Stadium.
Brown is out indefinitely with a dislocated elbow, opening the door for Reynolds to lock down a spot in the 17 if he can impress coach Cameron Ciraldo against the Cowboys.
Reynolds played 138 games for the Bulldogs between 2011 and 2017, mostly at five-eighth, and was a member of their 2012 and 2014 grand final teams.
The Cowboys have been forced to make several changes for the game. Injured backs Murray Taulagi and Gehamat Shibasaki are replaced by Brendan Elliot and Peta Hiku, who returns from suspension.
Heilum Luki replaces State of Origin back-rower Jeremiah Nanai, who pleaded guilty to a dangerous throw charge over the weekend. James Tamou is out with a foot complaint.
Elsewhere, Penrith's second-row depth will be tested against Canberra, with State of Origin second-rower Liam Martin missing a second consecutive game through a hamstring injury.
The Panthers' other first-choice second-rower, Luke Garner, has been rested, bringing Scott Sorensen into the starting side.
Canberra veteran Jarrod Croker has been named in the extended squad for the match, so is a chance to be called in for his first game of the season.
The Wests Tigers have stuck to the new-look spine combination that played in last week's loss to Melbourne, with fullback option Daine Laurie dropped to the reserves this week.
Newcastle recruit Greg Marzhew has done enough to keep his spot on the wing for the clash with Manly, as Dominic Young prepares to play reserve grade for a second straight week.
St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin has not recovered from his calf injury but has been named in the extended squad to face the Dolphins, so he could be a late inclusion.
The Dolphins welcome back hooker Jeremy Marshall-Kings after a two-game suspension.
With co-captain Junior Paulo banned for two games, Parramatta have named Wiremu Greig to start in the front row against the Sydney Roosters, who move Drew Hutchison to centre in place of the suspended Joey Manu.
