There is some good news for injured NRL Brisbane centre Brent Tate - but wounded prop Mark O'Meley's bad luck hasn't changed.

Bulldogs enforcer O'Meley said latest scans on his ruptured knee ligaments suffered in last Friday's Test win over New Zealand had revealed more damage, ruling him out for an extra month and a total of 16 weeks.

O'Meley was first told he would be out for "four to six weeks" with leg bruising but that changed to 12 weeks with ligament damage after initial scans.

Now O'Meley may not return for the defending NRL premiers until as late as round 24 after the latest news from his specialist.

In contrast, Tate received a more encouraging prognosis for a shoulder injury aggravated two weeks ago.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said he was confident the ex-Test centre could be back in "one or two weeks".

It was music to the ears of Tate who initially feared the injury - which has plagued him for two years - could force him to retire.

Bennett said surgery was a "last option" for Brisbane's medical staff.

"That will be the absolute last option. We will explore every option available, get the best medical men we can," he said.

"This week he's definitely out but maybe next week - it all depends on his arm strength.

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