Prized recruit David Mead will return to Brisbane's starting side after winger Jordan Kahu was ruled out of Friday night's NRL clash with South Sydney due to a groin strain.
Kahu suffered the injury in last round's win over Mead's former side Gold Coast Titans.
Mead returns to the starting side after making an impressive Broncos debut two weeks ago in their 32-8 round six win over Sydney Roosters.
"He's not quite right enough, it's nothing serious," coach Wayne Bennett said of Kahu.
"You always miss your great players but we have a capable replacement - he played great for us two weeks ago."
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Speedster Jonus Pearson will play his first game of the year after being added to the Broncos bench.
Pearson scored two tries on NRL debut in round 23 last year and featured in both of Brisbane's 2016 finals games.
Bennett said he wanted to go with speed and not another forward on his bench.
"We are all match fit now and we have forwards who can play long minutes," he said.
"I hate having guys sitting on the bench when I can't use them or putting them on for the sake of it."
Joe Ofahengaue returns to the Broncos bench, replacing fellow forward Tevita Pangai Junior who has been ruled out for up to three months with a finger injury.
It is Ofahengaue's first game for Brisbane since round 21 last year.
He had a dream 2015 debut season, playing in the NRL grand final before his form dropped off last year but still managed 17 games.
"He probably got a bit ahead of himself," Bennett said of Ofahengaue.
"He had to go back and appreciate what playing the NRL really means
"But his form is now good, he is ready to go."
Prop Korbin Sims (foot) received the green light to line up against a South Sydney pack that will boast Sam Burgess after he escaped a shoulder charge at the judiciary this week.
"I am not really surprised," Bennett said of Burgess being found not guilty of a shoulder charge on Bulldogs' Greg Eastwood.
"But the shoulder charge is a contentious issue.
"That's what the judiciary is about. He got a fair hearing and is allowed to play."
