Queensland legend Wally Lewis has backed Johnathan Thurston to overcome a shoulder injury to be fit to play the series opener on May 31.
However, if the Maroons ace is ruled out of the match, Lewis believes either Daly Cherry-Evans, Anthony Milford or even outsider Corey Norman could easily fill two of the biggest shoes in rugby league.
North Queensland and the Maroons are sweating on scans on Thurston's shoulder, which are expected to be known on Monday.
Thurston suffered the injury in Australia's 30-12 Anzac Test win over New Zealand on Friday, on return from a calf complaint.
Whispers have suggested Thurston could miss anywhere between the next two weeks and the entire 2017 NRL season, but Lewis said he was confident Thurston would play.
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"I'd be amazed if he doesn't recover in time," Lewis told AAP.
"Thurston seems to have been gifted with some of the finest recovery skills as a human being. He never spends too much time on the sideline."
Thurston's durability has had him play the last 36 straight Origins since 2005 - a record in the 37-year history of the series, leading to 23 wins.
However, it has meant Queensland have used just three separate playmakers in the last 24 matches.
Lewis found it hard to split either Cherry-Evans and Milford when pressed on Sunday.
"Cherry-Evans might come to the fore because he has been in good form this year," Lewis said.
"DCE has been there done that. He has been able to enjoy the Origin spectacle before.
"He knows what it's about.
"But the most difficult issue for DCE is he would be moving from seven to six. Maybe the coach would be after a full-time No.6."
A factor Lewis, who played 32 of his 34 games for Queensland at five-eighth, believes might push coach Kevin Walters towards Milford.
"After the way he played (for Samoa) on the weekend, he probably reminded selectors that he is ready for it," Lewis said.
"His evasive skills are quite extraordinary."
Lewis says he couldn't see Walters bringing bench utility Michael Morgan in to the starting side for the series opener, even if Thurston was ruled out.
Morgan is yet to start for Queensland since making his debut in 2015, but has been the predominant playmaker for the Cowboys in recent weeks with Thurston's calf issues.
"Sometimes some of the players that fill dual roles so well, that can be their worst enemy," Lewis said.
"It's almost an everyday selection process now that you pick three forwards and one back on the bench.
"And if that's the case I think Morgan will do that."
