Adam Reynolds got through a full team training session on Monday in a huge boost to Brisbane's chances in the looming clash with competition leaders North Queensland.
The Broncos' captain and halfback did some rehab work on the sidelines at the start of the training run before joining the team for their ball work and defensive drills.
The veteran playmaker missed the 34-12 loss to Penrith with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) strain but if there are no complications this week he appears set to return on Friday night against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
Reynolds' position was filled against the Panthers by Jock Madden, who will step up again if his captain is not available.
"Reyno is a quick healer and hopefully he will be out there steering the ship around. If he is not there we have Jock and he will do a great job as well," Broncos winger Jesse Arthars said.
"Reyno is our skipper and if he is playing everyone is confident but whoever fills the positions we have faith in."
As the team trained, injured fullback Reece Walsh (facial fracture) watched on as his replacement against the Cowboys, Tristan Sailor, went through his paces.
Walsh will miss four to six weeks of action but Sailor did a superb job filling in for him last year in four matches where he had six try assists and made several try saving tackles for his team.
"Tristan is a very classy player and fits in really well. Reece is obviously our main number one but Tristan does an excellent job when Reece is not available," Arthars said.
"We are expecting his best and I am excited for him to get a crack this early in the season."
Walsh has assisted Sailor with his fullback play over the past 12 month and Arthars said this week would be no different.
"Tristan has been playing fullback a long time. Reece does one of the best jobs in the game and I think they bounce off each other with different ideas, what’s working and what is not working," Arthars said.
"That is ultimately healthy for the club with two different minds coming together."
Coach Kevin Walters told AAP on Sunday he was still deciding whether to include an outside back on his bench as cover. Last week the Broncos had to reshuffle their backline when Walsh went off early and it was a disruption.
One option is to play veteran winger Corey Oates as a No.17 - he has recovered from a knee injury and trained well on Monday.
"Oatesy has been training with us the whole time and wherever Kevvie wants to put him there is always a spot for him," Arthars said.
"If he wants to put him on the bench he is a really big body and has the strong carries. He can play a few positions as well."
