Queensland's State of Origin campaign has been thrown into uncertainty after Tom Dearden suffered a syndesmosis injury that could potentially rule him out for the entire series.

Dearden had firmly established himself as Billy Slater's first-choice halfback after a breakout 2025 campaign, with his rise culminating in a Wally Lewis Medal performance during last year's series victory.

Now, Slater faces arguably his biggest selection dilemma since taking over as Maroons coach.

Does he return to the proven experience of Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt? Or bring in debutants like Jamal Fogarty, Tanah Boyd, or Sam Walker? 

Each option brings vastly different strengths, experience levels and risks, leaving Queensland with no obvious replacement for one of the most important positions on the field.

Here are the five leading contenders to wear Dearden's Maroons jersey.

4. Daly Cherry-Evans

Dropped as Queensland's halfback after last year's Game 1 loss to NSW, Daly Cherry-Evans now looms as the obvious experienced option to return to the Maroons setup.

The former Queensland captain led the Maroons from 2019 to 2025, helping deliver three series wins across 26 appearances in maroon.

Now 37 years old, Cherry-Evans entered a new chapter this season after joining the Sydney Roosters, where he has transitioned into the five-eighth role. However, many still argue that halfback remains his natural and strongest position.

Out of all the potential replacements, Cherry-Evans has the most Origin experience and already has a strong combination with Cameron Munster from previous campaigns.

Still, the biggest question for Slater is whether bringing him back would genuinely improve the side or simply represent the safest option.

At the time of his axing, Dearden was viewed as the better in-form selection and justified that faith by going on to win the Wally Lewis Medal in Game 3.

So would choosing DCE, instead of someone playing consistently at halfback, go against that same philosophy?

However, since moving to the Roosters, Cherry-Evans has silenced critics who questioned whether the veteran could successfully reinvent himself in the eastern suburbs.

He has scored four tries, played every game this season at five-eighth and shown he can adapt his game, something that may now work in his favour under Slater's coaching system.