The mounting toll on Greg Inglis' body is a signal to his coach Wayne Bennett that his days at fullback may be over.
Since Inglis’ return from an ACL injury he suffered in 2017, there has been plenty of talk around when he will make the transition from the centres back to fullback.
Bennett said he has left that decision up to Inglis whether or not he wants to play at No.1, as they have a more than capable players in Alex Johnston to continue in the position.
"His [Inglis] best football has always been at fullback. But like he’s said injury-wise, body, age, it's all taking its toll,” Bennett said.
"It wasn't my decision about whether he played fullback or not, it was his decision, because I wanted to make it that way. I wanted to respect what he's done and put him in the position that he was keen to play and thought he'd do his best for us at.
"It's obvious to him and to me that fullback is not going to be his place - we've got a wonderful player in Alex Johnston so there's no real dramas for us there.
"He's accepted the fact that he will play in the centres and I've accepted that.”
Bennett is putting no pressure on the return of his skipper after ruling him out of South Sydney’s round three clash against the Titans on Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
Rabbitohs v Titans - Round 3
Inglis picked up a shoulder complaint in teh win over the Dragons, which could potentially see the 32-year-old not only miss the Titans but also the Bunnies round four encounter with the Sea Eagles at Lottoland.
In the absence of Inglis, Corey Allan will come onto the wing with Dane Gagai moving into the centres.
Bennett said the loss of Inglis would have no impact on the side as he was confident in the depth of his squad.
"He (Inglis) won't play tomorrow and he may not play next week either,” Bennett said on Saturday.
"We are just playing it by ear at the moment - the shoulder is pretty sore and needs some time.
"He's obviously pinched something in there but nothing serious so it's just a waiting game now until it settles down and he gets full movement back.
"We're more than a one-man team so we can get the job done without him and we're doing that and will continue to do that if we have to.”
The Bunnies head into round three as hot favourites after two straight wins over the Roosters and Dragons.
But despite the Titans sitting at the other end with a 0-2 start, Bennett expects nothing less than a tough contest from a hungry side.
"I'm expecting them to be pretty good tomorrow,” Bennett said.
"They've started their season without a win and we're into game three now so they'll be feeling that pressure.
"I don't think they'll come tomorrow unmotivated."