Blaize Talagi has again been overlooked by out-of-sorts Penrith even as their personnel issues worsen ahead of the round-five clash with North Queensland.
The Panthers omitted Dylan Edwards from Tuesday's squad despite Ivan Cleary saying he was a chance to return from his groin strain earlier this week and are now also missing Brian To'o (hamstring), Scott Sorensen (head knock) and Trent Toelau (knee).
Despite the withdrawals, Talagi has been overlooked for the fourth time in five rounds since leaving Parramatta to become the most hyped external recruit of Penrith's dynasty.
Talagi has been listed as a replacement player as the Panthers fight to snap their first three-game losing streak since 2019.
Coach Cleary dropped Casey McLean for the round-four loss to South Sydney but recalls him to replace To'o on the wing, with Matt Eisenhuth joining the bench.
Talismanic halfback Nathan Cleary returns from his head knock as expected.
Elsewhere, Newcastle prop Leo Thompson is back from a knee injury ahead of schedule to face Canterbury, where he will become a marquee recruit next year.
Brodie Jones moves to 18th man to make way for Thompson, while Bulldogs back Jacob Kiraz is listed in the reserves so could return from a hip issue.
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has turned to rookie hooker Ryley Smith to help the Eels fight out of their winless start to the season, axing Joey Lussick from his 17.
Mid-season acquisition Dylan Walker will make his club debut for the Eels via the bench against St George Illawarra, with Dean Hawkins holding his spot in the halves.
The NRL's only other winless team, the Dolphins have resisted the urge to make mass changes as Kristian Woolf hunts his first win as head coach.
Connelly Lemuelu joins the forward pack on return from an eye injury and replaces suspended captain Tom Gilbert in the only change for the clash with Gold Coast.
As expected, Latrell Mitchell will line up in the centres on return from a hamstring injury because South Sydney are missing Alex Johnston (ribs) from their backline.
Jye Gray retains Mitchell's usual fullback spot for the grudge match against the Sydney Roosters.
Mawene Hiroti and Tom Hazelton join Cronulla's 17 to face Canberra after Kayal Iro (hamstring) and Sifa Talakai (head knock) went down in the loss to Canterbury.
Wests Tigers' Adam Doueihi returns from the groin strain that ruled him out in the pre-match warm-up on Sunday, while Latu Fainu replaces suspended Jarome Luai in the halves against Brisbane.
Jaiyden Hunt will play his first game of the season as Broncos reconfigure following a suspension to second-rower Jordan Riki.
Lehi Hopoate replaces Tom Trbojevic (knee) at fullback for Manly but hooker Lachlan Croker is still at least another week off returning from his own knee problem.
Jahrome Hughes is listed in the reserves for Melbourne's clash with Manly so could return from a hand injury.
