The Reds (fourth, 32 points) have missed their rampaging back-rower, going 2-3 in five tight games without him to slowly slide from top spot.
Wilson's 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season was ended prematurely by an arm fracture that required surgery, the No.8 then surging back into the Test frame and assuming the captaincy.
The incumbent Test skipper will return on Friday from a smaller fracture in the same arm, suffered in a collision with a tackler's head in early April.
Victory at Suncorp Stadium against the Hurricanes (fifth, 30 points) would all but secure fourth place for the Reds, who finish their regular season at home against Fijian Drua.
The top three sides will begin the finals campaigns at home under the new six-team finals format that allows the highest-placed, first-week loser passage to the semi-finals.
Wilson is keen to hit the ground running and promised not to shirk a trademark hit-up if the opportunity presents.
"I've got to use my shoulder a bit more ... but definitely, it's part of my job, I've got to do that," he said.
"I've got so much confidence from the rehab I've done and the amount of work behind the scenes to make sure it (a fracture) won't happen again.
"The boys in my positions have been playing really good footy, so I can't expect to come in and take a week or two to warm up.
"We want to go deep in the finals.
"We've showed we can beat them (the top teams), but ... we need to ice those big moments, and it's an opportunity to do that this week."
The British and Irish Lions are weeks away from arriving in Australia, but Wilson has kept his mind from wandering too far.
"It's tough, I've been out injured and all I've been worried about is coming back and playing and performing for the Reds," he said.
"Seeing the Lions squad announced, you know it's just there and you want to be a part of that.
"But I want to play another five games for the Reds this season, I want to be part of something special."
Tom Lynagh (concussion) will return in the No.10, while emerging prop Trevor King could debut off the bench.
Coach Les Kiss has pushed winger Tim Ryan to the bench, with the re-signed Filipo Daugunu shifting wider to allow Dre Pakeho a centre spot alongside Hunter Paisami.
The first-placed ACT Brumbies have a bye, while the NSW Waratahs and Western Force will meet with their finals hopes dashed.
Taniela Tupou will start for the Waratahs, while Wallabies pair Carlo Tizzano (pectoral) and Dylan Pietsch (quad) are back for the Force after injury lay-offs.
The Waratahs on Wednesday confirmed the return of former Brumbies star and 33-Test back-rower Pete Samu after a stellar three-season stint with Bordeaux in the French Top 14.
Samu joins fellow Wallaby Matt Philip in returning to Australian rugby ahead of this year's Lions tour and has committed until the end of 2027.
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