Haas and Broncos coach Kevin Walters all but conceded his hopes of featuring for the Blues on June 9 were up in smoke after he had limped off in Thursday night's NRL loss to Melbourne with a medial ligament complaint.

Immediate thoughts were that he'd be out for up to a month, meaning he'd miss the series opener and possibly game two at Suncorp Stadium on June 27.

But, ahead of Sunday's squad announcement, the Broncos offered Blues fans hope he won't join Brad Fittler's mounting list of unavailable talent.

"The scan showed a mild MCL injury which should settle down quickly," Broncos head of performance Andrew Croll said.

"Payne will be reassessed over the weekend after the injury settles before making a final call on the next steps."

Backrower Angus Crichton and his Sydney Roosters teammate Victor Radley will both miss the opener because of suspension while former skipper Boyd Cordner (concussion) is gone for the entire series.

The absence of Haas would rob the clash - which appears likely to be moved from the MCG because of Melbourne's COVID-19 outbreak - of his rematch with Queensland enforcer Tino Fa'asuamaleaui after the rookie pair went toe-to-toe last season.

Fittler's opposite Paul Green is facing similar selection headaches with Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga under serious injury clouds, Josh Papalii suspended and Felise Kaufusi set to challenge a tripping ban that would also rule him out of the opener.

Harry Grant and Christian Welch both missed Thursday's game against Brisbane with injuries but are confident they'll be fit to mount a title defence under the new Queensland coach.

Australian Associated Press