Flanker Liam Wright (shoulder) and lock Connor Vest (neck) won't play again this season but fellow co-captain McDermott is firming to face Fijian Drua on Saturday in Suva with the Reds' season on the line.
The plucky No.9Â is progressing well through return-to-play protocols despite failing his HIA in the first half of their last-ditch loss to the Highlanders.
"Tate's running around now so it's good to see him back in the team - he's cleared," said teammate Suliasi Vunivalu, who announced a new deal with the Reds and Rugby Australia through to the end of 2025.
"With his energy and leadership around the park, we need that, especially with our big forwards as he controls most of that.
"We definitely need that this weekend against the Drua."
The bonus-point loss left the Reds in seventh, one point clear of the Highlanders, and they can hold that position with a win over the Drua.
A loss to the 10th-placed side puts the Queenslanders in danger of missing finals altogether, while the Drua themselves are still a mathematical chance of the play-offs.
Fijian-born winger Vunivalu said it was a tough task to topple the Drua at home.
"It will be a big game in Fiji - they've been showing up playing at home," he said.
"We need to focus on ourselves and we know what game plan to bring to shut them off.
"I have full confidence in the team that we can go there and get the job done."
Scoring 15 tries in 26 Reds appearances in an injury-interrupted code switch in 2021 from the NRL, Vunivalu said he was feeling more confident about his body and his role in the team.
"I'm starting to get confidence, understanding around the park, when to come in," the 27-year-old said.
"The coaches here have been telling me I've got to look for balls or look for options off nine and 10 and it's been working real well."
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