Titans captain Nathan Friend will miss Saturday's clash with the Raiders after copping two heavy head knocks in the opening three games of the season.
The 35-year-old was forced from the field in Round 1 against the Knights and also last week against the Wests Tigers and did not take part in Friday's final captain's run. Kierran Moseley will travel with the team to Canberra as cover.
Although Friend passed the in-game concussion tests on both occasions Titans coach Neil Henry said they would show caution after the two head knocks in quick succession.
"He's had a couple of knocks so we just wanted to see how he went so he's had a sweat-up early and he'll hang around," Henry said.
"We just want to make sure that he's right and not under any duress, that he's not getting headaches and things like that.
"He's passed the test to go back on the field each time but there's no doubt he's been stung a couple of times. So far it hasn't been a real problem for him but there is a protocol to go through where you are on restricted duties early in the week - there's no contact obviously - and then you start building up the amount of work you do.
"As long as you don't regress to any headaches, dizziness, other side effects normally you're OK.
"It's a bit of precautionary thing so we'll have to see how he pulls up."
With William Zillman already sidelined with a calf complaint the withdrawal of Friend will open the door for Greg Bird to assume the Titans captaincy a month after he was overlooked for the top job.
One of the Titans' best in each of their three games to date, Bird is displaying the type of form that made him an automatic selection in New South Wales and Kangaroo teams, his roving role at lock forward bringing an extra dimension to the Titans attack.
