The Rabbitohs have ruled John Sutton out of Monday night's clash with the Cowboys, opening up the possibility of star fullback Greg Inglis moving into the halves this week.
Sutton had been set to play five-eighth following the injury to halfback Adam Reynolds, with young pivot Luke Keary to wear the No.7, but will not make his return from a fractured jaw.
"Unfortunately the scans show that there's still a little bit of a fracture," South Sydney coach Michael Maguire told the club's website.
"He'll probably need another week there so it's given us some good sort of thoughts moving forward and where we go."
Sutton's absence could mean Inglis shifts to five-eighth, with winger Alex Johnston covering fullback.