Coach Craig Fitzgibbon says Cronulla will take a cautious approach with lock Dale Finucane after he suffered a concussion in the NRL loss to Melbourne.
Finucane was restricted to just seven minutes in his first clash with his former club on Saturday after a tackle on Nelson Asofa-Solomona left him visibly shaken and unstable on his feet.
The 30-year-old played no further part in the game and won't line up for the Sharks on Thursday when they host sixth-placed Manly.
Data collated by renowned physio Brien Seeney shows Finucane failed two in-game HIAs last year and was given the following weeks off to recover by the Storm.
The Sharks' draw over the following three rounds is favourable - they face Brisbane, the Warriors and Canberra after the Manly game.
Fitzgibbon said Finucane was in good spirits but he wanted to protect the forward's long-term health.
"We'll look into that (possible extended rest) and see how he's going," Fitzgibbon said.
"They're all treated differently. There's a knock-on effect and how they pull up post-event (to consider).
"He was fine and there were no lingering side effects or anything like that.
"We'll follow the protocols, but we won't rush anything, that's for sure."
Even though he's only six games into his Sharks career, Finucane already looks to have become Cronulla's heart and soul.
He has skippered the side in the absence of Wade Graham, who should return in the next fortnight from an ankle injury.
With both of them unavailable, halfback Nicho Hynes will captain the Sharks against Manly.
In a futher blow, impressive prop Braden Hamlin-Uele will be sidelined for the next three months with a pectoral injury.
Fitzgibbon said that a win without two of their spiritual leaders would be a good indication of how far the Sharks have come under his tenure.
"I don't think it was any surprise at the impact Dale has had on our club," Fitzgibbon.
"The leadership side of things is obvious, but the way he plays is more important.
"Cam (McInnes) will play No. 13 and Cam can contribute to our team in the same fashion Dale can.
"He does the stuff off the ball that a lot of people don't notice.
"It will be a good challenge for us but I also have an expectation that everyone will play well and fill the void."
Manly are also experiencing a shortage of forwards for Thursday's game with props Martyn Taupau (COVID-19), Josh Aloiai (shoulder) and Sean Keppie (concussion) all unavailable for coach Des Hasler.
"Marty still hasn't recovered but the players will come in and they'll do a great job I'm sure," Hasler said.
Aloiai is expected to miss between two and four weeks, according to the Sea Eagles.
