Michael Morgan is a chance to return for North Queensland as early as next week, momentarily putting aside speculation he might be forced to end his NRL career due to ongoing shoulder problems.
Morgan had a team medical assessment on Monday and is not fit to play this week, but coach Todd Payten said the star playmaker could be back for the round five clash with West Tigers.
"Michael was re-assessed by the medical team yesterday, and (his shoulder) wasn't recovered enough to be right to play NRL," Payten said.
"He's disappointed but we knew that's where his shoulder was at.
"I've spoken to him almost daily and he seems in a good space mentally - he's well aware of where his shoulder's really at.
"He just needs to keep working on his rehabilitation and we'll look at things post-game."
Payten said no contact had been made with the NRL over Morgan's future and whether he would qualify for a salary cap exemption if forced to retire on medical grounds.
The Origin and Kangaroos representative still has two-and-half years left on a five-year deal, leaving the Cowboys with a $2.5 million payout should he be forced to quit.
Morgan has played once for the Cowboys in 2021, and was plagued by injuries last year restricting him to just six matches.
The 29-year-old's shoulder issues are widely documented, with the Cowboys skipper suffering an infection following surgery in early 2020.
The same shoulder kept him out of Sunday's loss to the Gold Coast and he has been left out of Payten's side to face Cronulla on Saturday.
Payten has wielded the axe to his side after a 0-3 start, shifting Valentine Holmes to fullback and Scott Drinkwater into the halves.
Halfback Jake Clifford has been dropped from the match-day 17 after some poor performances, with youngster Ben Hampton slotting in for his second consecutive start.
Payten may look to retain Drinkwater and Hampton as his halves pair with Clifford departing for Newcastle at season's end.
Origin representative Coen Hess has been bumped onto the interchange bench, making way for Ben Condon who will earn just second NRL appearance.
North Queensland are also waiting on directions from the NRL regarding their clash with Cronulla on the Sunshine Coast, due to the COVID outbreak in Brisbane.
The club is expected to charter a plane to the Sunshine Coast on Friday, before returning north on Sunday afternoon.
