Manly need to win all seven of their remaining regular season games to guarantee them a finals spot. They have won just six games all year.
Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey was hopeful rather than confident of having his superstar playmaker ready to take on the Warriors.
"It was a concern (the shoulder complaint), so we took him off to make sure he was OK," Toovey said.
"He's a real tough character and I don't think he wants to miss any football. I'm pretty sure he'll do whatever he can to be there."
Manly have qualified for the past 10 NRL finals series, but are up against it to stretch that incredible record to 11.
After the Warriors fixture they face top-four fancies Brisbane, South Sydney and Sydney Roosters over the last six rounds in one of the toughest runs home for any side.