Brisbane prop Tom Flegler has escaped suspension and is out of hospital but coach Kevin Walters still has plenty of headaches after what he called a "terrible" night at the office.
The Broncos will slip out of the NRL top eight if Canberra beats Manly on Saturday after a dire night all-round display in the 53-6 loss to Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Flegler was rushed to hospital when he left the field in the second half clutching his throat.
"He copped an elbow to a throat. He couldn't breathe and was having trouble," Walters said.
Flegler returned to Suncorp Stadium a couple of hours after the match after being released from hospital.
"I'm all good," he told AAP, before returning to spend the night at his home.
Flegler was at Broncos HQ with the physiotherapist on Friday morning and was later resting at home.
Broncos head of performance David Ballard said Flegler could still be available for the Dragons.
"We will see how he recovers over the next few days before determining how he shapes up for next week's game," he said.
Flegler had earlier been put on report for what the match officials deemed a shoulder charge on Reagan Campbell-Gillard, but the match review committee adjudged it to be dangerous contact instead and Flegler will pay a fine of $1000 with an early plea.
Star Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds and forward Kobe Hetherington both failed to return from HIA tests against the Eels while centre Brenko Lee re-aggravated a lower leg injury and will have a scan.
Walters was hopeful Reynolds and Hetherington would be fit to play against St George Illawarra in the final round clash that the Broncos must win if they are to play finals football.
"He's just got to pass all the tests with the protocols," Walters said.
The Broncos have conceded 189 points in the last five weeks.
"I'm not going to make any excuses. It is just not good enough," Walters said.
Back-rower Kurt Capewell said the season had started with a defensive focus.
"We've definitely seen it slip the last few weeks," he said.
"Once something goes against us ... teams are putting a big score on us. We've got a fair bit to fix, and a week to do that."
Walters said centre Herbie Farnworth was "an outside chance" of returning next week from a biceps injury.
Prop Pat Carrigan will return from suspension against the Dragons and winger Selwyn Cobbo is expected to play after sitting out the Eels clash due to fatigue.
Meanwhile Eels forward Campbell-Gillard was charged with a shoulder charge on Jordan Riki but will escape with a $3000 fine if he takes the early plea.
