Sharks prop Andrew Fifita has been admitted to intensive care and sedated due to the throat injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to Newcastle at Redcliffe.
Adam Reynolds,
Matt Moylan also racing the clock ahead of round 20.
Newcastle are expecting Pearce to pull through and be a late inclusion in their crucial clash against the Raiders, while
Kalyn Ponga and
Round 20 Late Mail
Roosters v Eels, Thursday 7.50pm at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Roosters: International prop Siosiua Taukeiaho has been named to return from a hamstring injury via the interchange bench but will need to get through a final training run on Wednesday. Fletcher Baker is on standby.
Veteran centre Josh Morris returns to the side in place of the luckless Billy Smith, who is gone for the season with an ankle injury.
Money ballers: These 23 off contract stars are the value buys in NRL player market theroar.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theroar.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.