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The NRL has locked in a season return date of May 28.

Now, clubs and players begin preparing to get back on the field and give fans something to cheer about.

While the extended break between rounds 2 and 3 has been dire in many ways, for some players it means they will miss less football through injury, given they’ve had plenty of time to recover.

Round 19

There will have been nine weeks in between games. And with the end of the season potentially pushed back to late in the year, players who had been ruled out for the season may now be a chance to make it back.

Here’s an updated Casualty Ward with who we expect to return in Round 3.

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BRONCOS

- Joe Ofahengaue has served a two-week club-imposed suspension, and is available to return.

- Corey Oates (rib) and Brodie Croft (shoulder) were both injured before the break. They are both expected to be fit to play.

Corey Oates (ribs) - Round 3

Alex Glenn (hamstring) - Round 3

Brodie Croft (shoulder) - Round 3

Tevita Pangai jnr (suspension) - Round 6

Jordan Kahu (shoulder) - Round 3

Sean O’Sullivan (knee) - Unknown

Keenan Palasia (knee) - Unknown

Matt Lodge (knee) - Unknown

Jack Bird (ACL) - Late season or 2021

RAIDERS

- John Bateman (shoulder) missed the start of the season but is expected to now be fit for Round 3.

Hudson Young (suspension) - Round 6

John Bateman (shoulder) - Round 3

BULLDOGS

- Chris Smith missed the start of the season but should now be fit to return.

- Joe Stimson is awaiting surgery on a shoulder tear and will likely not be available.

- Kieran Foran had pencilled in a mid-season return and he is now a chance of making the third game of the season.

Marcelo Montoya (knee) - Round 3

Chris Smith (knee) - Round 3

Kieran Foran (shoulder) - possibly Round 3

Joe Stimson (shoulder) - Unknown

SHARKS

- Following Round 2 Josh Morris left the club to join the Roosters.

Wade Graham (ankle) - Round 3

Bronson Xerri (shoulder) - Round 3

Josh Dugan (knee) - Round 3

Matt Moylan (hamstring) - Round 5

Cameron King (knee) - Late season or 2021

TITANS

- Dale Copley and Kevin Proctor were both injured before the break but will be fit to return.

Dale Copley (ribs) - Round 3

Kevin Proctor (hamstring) - Round 3

AJ Brimson (back) - Round 3

Shannon Boyd (shoulder) - Round 3

Beau Fermor (knee) - Round 3

Keegan Hipgrave (concussions) - possibly Round 3

Ryan James (knee) - Late season or 2021

SEA EAGLES

Taniela Paseka (ankle) - Round 3

Albert Hopoate (knee) - Round 3

Jack Gosiewski (back) - Round 3

Manase Fainu (stood down) - Unknown

STORM

- Brandon Smith injured his face in the All Stars game and missed the first two games, but is fit to go now.

- Harry Grant has left, and Paul Momirovski has joined Melbourne from the Tigers.

Brandon Smith (facial fracture) - Round 3

KNIGHTS

- Mitchell Barnett has had surgery on his neck and is expected to miss some more games.

- Jayden Brailey ruptured his ACL in Round 2 and will most likely miss the remainder of the season.

- In positive news, Sione Mata’utia, Phoenix Crossland, and Bradman Best will all be available after missing the start of the season.

- Kalyn Ponga was suspended for a shoulder charge in Round 2.

Kalyn Ponga (suspension) - Round 4

Mitchell Barnett (neck) - Unknown

Jayden Brailey (knee) - Late season or 2021

Sione Mata’utia (knee) - Round 3

Phoenix Crossland (groin) - Round 3

Bradman Best (foot) - Round 3

COWBOYS

- No known injury concerns.

EELS

- Reed Mahoney was facing a lengthy stint on the sideline but will now be pushing hard for a Round 3 return, although may still be a couple of weeks off.

Reed Mahoney (ankle) - Round 3-5

Nathan Brown (suspension) - Round 5

PANTHERS

Dylan Edwards (ankle) - Round 3

Kurt Capewell (quad) - Round 3

Mitch Kenny (elbow) - Round 3

Dean Blore (shoulder) - Round 3

Jack Hetherington (suspension) - Round 4

Shawn Blore (knee) - Round 3

Brayden McGrady (knee) - possibly Round 3

Spencer Leniu (knee) - Round 3

RABBITOHS

Cameron Murray (knee) - Round 3

Patrick Mago (pectoral) - Round 3

DRAGONS

- The Dragons are somewhat lucky in a sense, given they had a terrible start to the season injury wise.

Mikaele Ravalawa (quad) - Round 3

Korbin Sims (arm) - Round 3

Cameron McInnes (knee) - Round 3

Jack de Belin (stood down) - Unknown

ROOSTERS

- Captain Boyd Cordner was rested for the start of the season but is now expected to play.

- Josh Morris joined the club after Round 2 and is in line to make his Chooks debut.

Boyd Cordner (rested) - Round 3

Sitili Tupouniua (knee) - Unknown

Billy Smith (knee) - Late season or 2021

WARRIORS

- The entire Warriors squad remains in New Zealand and will need special exemption from the governments to fly back to Australia and play.

- Several players had suffered season-ending knee injuries but could now push for a late return to play.

Gerard Beale (knee) - Round 3

Jazz Tevaga (ankle) - Round 3

Nathaniel Roache (knee) - possibly Round 3

Taane Milne (knee) - Late season or 2021

Jackson Frei (knee) - Late season or 2021

Bunty Afoa (knee) - Late season or 2021

TIGERS

- Jacob Liddle is returning from a busted ACL and could play his first game for the season.

- Harry Grant has joined the club from Melbourne and is in line to make his club debut.

Luke Garner (ribs/leg) - Round 3

Thomas Mikaele (knee) - Round 3

Moses Mbye (knee) - Round 3

Luke Brooks (calf) - Round 3

Jacob Liddle (knee) - possibly Round 3

Russell Packer (foot) - Unknown