Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer has pulled out of his team's must-win clash with Canberra on Friday night in the hope of returning to the field during the finals.
The Broncos need to down the in-form Raiders by at least 15 points and trust minor premiers St George Illawarra defeat South Sydney to reach the play-offs for the 19th consecutive season.
"I trained with the boys this afternoon and everything seemed to go OK," Lockyer said on Tuesday.
"But when I did some private contact work I realised the injury is not ready for an NRL game yet."
"I had to make the right decision and I know I have."
"I have confidence the team can get the job done anyway and, if all goes well, we will get a shot in the finals next week."
The Raiders will be without co-captain Alan Tongue, who will also miss the opening week of the finals should the Green Machine qualify due to a calf injury.
Tongue is replaced by Glen Buttriss in the starting side with Trevor Thurling added to a six-man bench.
"We have some decisions to make on positions but at this stage we won't stray to far form the team named today," coach David Furner said.
"We're getting some good rotation out of our forwards at the moment and we’re also developing some combinations in the backline."
The Wests Tigers' casualty ward has grown to nine players after Wade McKinnon (hamstring), Chris Lawrence (jaw) and John Skandalis (buttock) were ruled out of Friday night's clash with Gold Coast at Skilled Park.
Mitch Brown again takes over from McKinnon at fullback, Geoff Daniela has been drafted into the centres and Willie Mataka added to the bench.
Gold Coast prop Luke Bailey underwent surgery on a damaged thumb earlier this week but has been named to play.
Second-rower Anthony Laffranchi returns after missing the shock loss to Cronulla.
Victory will secure the Titans a top four finish and home semi-final.
Tim Grant returns from injury to take the place of the suspended Petero Civoniceva in the
Penrith front-row for Saturday night's meeting with Cronulla at CUA Stadium.
Melbourne welcome back Greg Inglis, Sika Manu, Brett Finch and Aiden Tolman for Sunday's emotional clash against Newcastle at AAMI Park.
The Storm will farewell a host of players before a sellout crowd.
The Knights have lost Kurt Gidley and Shannon McDonnell, while prop Ben Cross is also in doubt with a hand injury.
Scott Dureau will wear the No.7 jersey while Wes Naiqama also comes into the starting side at full-back.
Manly lock Glenn Stewart rang Roosters skipper Braith Anasta to apologise for the high shot that ended his season a week out from the finals.
Stewart's sickening elbow to Anasta's jaw will cost him a four-week suspension, with Chris Bailey to take his place at the back of the scrum for Sunday's vital meeting with Canterbury at Brookvale Oval.
"It's disappointing. Glenn's a big part of our team," captain Jamie Lyon said.
"It's a tackle gone wrong and unfortunately he's got four weeks."
"It's a contact sport and sometimes it goes wrong."
"There's no use crying over it. It's happened and we have to deal with it."
"We've got some good players who can fill the spot."
Winger Michael Robertson added: "Glenn's a little bit devastated at the moment but it's something we are going to deal with."
"He's an international player but it gives some