Luckless Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic will be rested from Manly's clash with Brisbane after aggravating his corked thigh, while his brother Jake will also delay his return from a concussion.
It comes as Wests Tigers deny Lachlan Galvin a potential swan-song and Penrith coach Ivan Cleary drops premiership winner Paul Alamoti following a tough night in round 12.
The Sea Eagles confirmed on Tuesday their star fullback Trbojevic had aggravated the cork in last week's loss to Parramatta, after battling the issue for the past month.
Officials insisted they were taking a "conservative" approach by resting the No.1 for the game against the Broncos, whose own fullback Reece Walsh is still at least a week away with his knee issue.
Trbojevic remains one of the most dangerous fullbacks in the game when fully fit, but has struggled to have a fully healthy body this year.
The latest omission is a blow to Trbojevic's hopes of pushing his case for a State of Origin recall after missing the NSW side for game one.
Lehi Hopoate replaces Trbojevic at fullback, prompting Tommy Talau to come into the backline.
The decision to rest Jake Trbojevic another week comes after he suffered a concussion in Manly's round-11 win over the Cowboys.
The head knock was the lock's second in the space of a month, prompting Manly to play it safe with the man who captained NSW to an Origin series win in 2024.
Every Origin player has been named in extended NRL squads for round 13, giving them the opportunity to back up from Wednesday night's series opener.
The Tigers axed Galvin ahead of Saturday's clash with North Queensland, promoting Heath Mason to the halves for the first time at NRL level.
Galvin's immediate switch to Canterbury is expected to be confirmed this week.
Aiming to spark Penrith's season, Cleary has dropped Alamoti following a disappointing loss to understrength Newcastle last week, with Casey McLean holding a spot in the backline for the last-placed Panthers.
Christian Tuipulotu returns from a hamstring injury to line up on the wing for St George Illawarra against Newcastle, who have Leo Thompson back from a stomach bug.
Fletcher Sharpe has shifted to five-eighth to accommodate Kalyn Ponga's expected return form Origin duty, despite shining at fullback for the Knights last week.
