Latrell Mitchell will miss his planned return for South Sydney after sustaining a hamstring concern, the club has confirmed.
Mitchell was due to captain the side for Saturday's Charity Shield match with St George on Saturday night, but will instead take no part in the fixture after ongoing scans to assess the extent of his injury.
Saturday's match was due to be his return after missing the backend of the 2024 season with injury.
It's the latest blow for the club after skipper Cameron Murray was likely ruled out for months with a suspected achilles rupture suffered at training on Wednesday.
"Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray has a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon suffered at training today. He will get scans, however he is not expected to be available to play in the coming months," the club said.
"Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of this Saturday's Charity Shield with a hamstring complaint. He will get scans to determine the extent of the injury."
Murray missed part of the 2024 season with a hip injury, before requiring surgery for a wrist injury sustained in camp for the Kangaroos over the summer.
For Mitchell, it's a further setback after a foot injury sidelined him from July last year.
Last month, the 27-year-old was cleared to return from a one-match ban issued in August for the annual charity match against the Dragons.
The NRL granted Mitchell to serve the ban set down in relation to an off-field incident by missing the weekend's Indigenous All Stars game.
Alongside preseason availability, it cleared the star fullback for a premiership season return in round one against the Dolphins on March 7.
In other Rabbitohs news, young Bunnies back Tyrone Munro has re-signed to remain at the club until at least the end of 2027.
The 20-year-old Gomeroi man made his NRL debut in 2023, the same year he helped South Sydney to a NSW Cup premiership before four first grade games in 2024.
Munro said his extension "is a dream come true".
"I love this club with all my heart," Munro said.
"I want to thank my brothers here at the Rabbitohs for their support for me and my family, especially through some very difficult times. I appreciate them every single day."
Rabbitohs head of recruitment Mark Ellison signalled his admiration and excitement for the youngster, saying "he has everything we're looking for in an outside back".
"For such a young man, Tyrone has shown us that he has the mental strength and emotional fortitude to forge a long career in the NRL with the Rabbitohs," Ellison said.
"He also has the ability to play the game at its highest levels and we are looking forward to working with him to progress his game to reach those heights.
"He has everything we're looking for in an outside back – he's fast, courageous, his body is developing, and he loves playing for South Sydney.
"He has shown he can handle difficult situations with his brave decision last season to play after the passing of his mother and uncle, and he is a fantastic role model for his three younger brothers."
Munro made his Indigenous All Stars debut in their 10-6 loss to New Zealand Maori Kiwis on Saturday.
