Murray Taulagi sidelined with MCL injury

He is expected to be sidelined for four-to-six games, dampening his chances of representing Queensland again in State of Origin's May 31 opener.

The 24-year-old was joint top-scorer for the Cowboys in 2022 with 17 tries, alongside Dally M Rookie of the Year Jeremiah Nanai, who will miss the next two games after taking an early guilty plea at the judiciary for up-ending Phillip Sami in a tackle. 

Centre Gehamat Shibasaki faces a two-to-three week stint in the injury ward after injuring his hamstring in Saturday's win, while veteran James Tamou is also out of Sunday's match against Canterbury with a foot issue.

The Cowboys said Tamou went for scans on Sunday and club doctors will await the results to determine a date for his return.

Peta Hiku will likely slot back in place of Shibasaki after serving a two match ban, with fullback Scott Drinkwater to return in round six after sitting out three weeks for a high-shot on Brisbane's Corey Oates.