Parramatta young gun Dylan Brown has had the wind knocked from the sails of his stellar rookie season after being sidelined indefinitely with a back injury.
After starring in the Eels' promising start to 2019, Brown has been scratched from Saturday's NRL clash with Cronulla with Jaeman Salmon to take his place in the No.6 jumper.
The club is taking a cautious approach with the 18-year-old as he recovers from bone bruising in his lower back and he is expected to miss a few weeks.
Brown had been touted as the long-term solution to the halves conundrum which has plagued the blue and golds since Peter Sterling's retirement in 1992.
He will miss Saturday's NRL clash with Cronulla with Jaeman Salmon to move into the No.6 jumper.
The Sharks will be without fullback Matt Moylan because of a hamstring problem, with exciting centre Bronson Xerri to debut as part of a backline reshuffle which will see Josh Dugan go to No.1.
Under-fire Penrith have received a big fillip with back-rowers Viliame Kikau (knee) and Isaah Yeo (head knock) to return for Friday's blockbuster against the Wests Tigers.
Tigers playmaker Josh Reynolds will receive his first call up of the year with Benji Marshall out with a hamstring strain.
Former NSW State of Origin series winner Reynolds started the season in reserve grade as coach Michael Maguire chose to partner Marshall with Luke Brooks in the halves.
After signing a four-year $3 million deal with the Tigers, Reynolds was restricted to just five games last season because of injury before starting 2019 in the NSW Cup.
"The boys have full confidence in Josh to be able to come in and do his role. He's a a first-grade player, he's won Origin series before, he's played in two grand finals. He'a s quality first-grader and he knows what to do out there" skipper Moses Mbye said.
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has swung the axe following his side's 46-12 capitulation to Manly, dropping five-eighth Adam Keighran.
Junior Kiwis playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita will make his NRL debut while hooker Issac Luke (hamstring) will sit out their clash with the Gold Coast, with Karl Lawton to wear the No.9.
As expected, Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga has shifted to fullback with Mason Lino to play five-eighth when the Knights play St George Illawarra.
Also on Sunday, Jack Cogger replaces Canterbury playmaker Kieran Foran (ankle) who is set for up to three months on the sidelines when the Bulldogs play Melbourne.
The Roosters' Cooper Cronk returns from a hamstring strain for Thursday's clash with Brisbane however hooker Jake Friend (shoulder) will be replaced by Victor Radley in the No.9.
James Roberts (Achilles) is out for the Broncos, replaced by Kotoni Staggs while Matt Lodge is back from suspension.
Manly have dropped centre Moses Suli for disciplinary reasons with Brendan Elliott to come in for their showdown with Souths on Saturday.
