Cowboys prop Matt Scott is racing the clock to prove he is fit to play for the Cowboys in the last round before the Queensland team is selected.
Scott was bent over in an awkward tackle against South Sydney and didn't stand until the physio checked his leg on the field, at which point he limped from the field.
According to coach Paul Green, Scott only completed a light training session on Tuesday, but he hopes his side's co-captain will be ready for their clash with Melbourne on Friday night.
"You want your best players playing, he hasn't trained fully yet so fingers crossed, touch wood he gets through the week, we'll see how he goes," Green said.
"He's only done a little bit of running today so that's a positive sign, we won't really know until the back end of the week."
While the initial fear was an ACL injury like the one that ended his season in 2017, the damage proved to be less severe in the opposite leg to his previous injury.
Interchange prop Corey Jensen, who was on the field at the time, said it was tough to watch and hear Scott's injury occur.
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"It didn't sound too good when it happened… but thankfully it's nothing like [his ACL injury]," Jensen said.
Jensen is the man likely to step into Scott's starting position if he isn't fit.
"Don't get me wrong I'd be happy to put my hand up, that's something I've been striving for and if the opportunity comes I'll take it with both hands," he said.
"In saying that it would be good to have Thumper out there, he's a great leader and I'm sure he'll be desperate to get back out there and play."
Even if Scott cannot suit up on Friday against the Storm, Jensen is confident the Cowboys co-captain will be ready to go for the Holden State of Origin series.
"He's an inspiration to the club, he puts the club first with everything and he's 100 per cent behind his rehab and trying to get back out on the field and I'm sure he will get out there on the weekend," he said.
"I know what Thumper is like and he's a really tough sort of character so he's going to do everything he can to be there and I'm sure barring injury he will be there come Origin time."
