Brisbane back-rower Matt Gillett played through the pain of a fractured neck for four NRL rounds before Broncos medical staff discovered the injury.
In a massive blow for the Broncos and Queensland, Gillett is expected to miss the next eight to 12 weeks after the scope of his injury was uncovered.
Gillett suffered the injury in his side's season-opening loss to St George Illawarra, however, he persevered, believing it was nothing more than a sore neck.
It was only after last week's loss to Newcastle that Broncos medical staff became suspicious and sent him for scans.
"It's one of the hardest things from our point of view, he doesn't complain," Broncos high performance manager Jeremy Hickmans said.
"He said he's got a sore neck but essentially he's got a broken neck.
"It's hard sometimes, you've got to take the player's word for it but it's worse than we realised.
"It's lucky we looked at it, wanted to investigate these issues."
The only positive news for the Maroons and Australia back-rower is that he will not require surgery.
At best, Gillett will return in time for State of Origin II in Sydney on June 24.
However, he could miss the entire series.
It's a body blow for Queensland coach Kevin Walters with Gillett among the best back-rowers in the game over the past several years.
Walters has a headache about what to do with the right-edge position.
Melbourne's Felise Kaufusi would be the leading contender - given his stellar 2017, which culminated in his Kangaroos debut - however, he has battled a hamstring injury and form over the first five weeks.
North Queensland's Coen Hess, who also plays on the right, is a contender to come into the starting side.
While Walters will also struggle to select Josh Papalii given he was recently dropped by Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.
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