The Newcastle Knights have announced that Bradman Best will be sidelined for Sunday's match against the Gold Coast Titans due to a calf injury sustained during training on Saturday.
The club has outlined the expected timeline for his recovery.
"Club medical staff anticipate Best will miss approximately three matches, with his return to play to be determined by his response to rehabilitation," it stated.
"Best will commence a structured rehabilitation program immediately, under the guidance of the club's medical and high-performance teams."
While Best was not seen as a guaranteed selection for the Origin team, he was considered a contender for the Blues jersey ahead of Game 1, particularly as Mitchell's status remains uncertain, enhancing his chances.
In Best's absence, young talent Fletcher Hunt will step into the centre position for the Knights.