Brisbane's coach, Michael Maguire, is encountering an unprecedented selection dilemma against North Queensland, with key players Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, and Reece Walsh unavailable simultaneously.
Such a situation has never arisen during Maguire's time in charge.
In the previous season, Hunt faced a six-game absence due to a hamstring issue, while Reynolds dealt with a similar problem for five games, but those injuries occurred at separate intervals.
Star fullback Walsh missed six matches in 2025, once for Queensland squad selection and five others due to a PCL injury; however, Hunt or Reynolds were always present to provide him with balls during his appearances.
Hunt, aged 36, will miss the upcoming Friday night clash with the Cowboys after playing through a knee injury during the 26-12 victory over Gold Coast last Saturday. Scans showed a grade three MCL injury, sidelining him for six to eight weeks.
Reynolds, 35, exited in the 25th minute of the match against the Titans due to a groin issue and was substituted by Hunt. Scans confirmed a grade two adductor longus strain, with the Broncos estimating a recovery period of one to two weeks.
Walsh is set to be out for four to six weeks following a facial fracture sustained in the same match against the Titans.
Ezra Mam is set to step up as five-eighth against the Cowboys, although utility Billy Walters, who excelled in five games at starting five-eighth the previous year, remains unavailable while recovering from an ACL injury.
The Broncos now have only two other recognized halves among their top 30 players. Tom Duffy, 22, has made just six NRL appearances with the Cowboys, and Josh Rogers, 29, has played seven matches for the Broncos.