North Queensland will not risk playmaker Michael Morgan in Saturday's NRL round 13 clash against Newcastle after his head knock in State of Origin I.

Morgan was left groggy after a second-half collision with David Klemmer during Queensland's 6-4 win over NSW on Wednesday night and has been replaced by Ray Thompson in the Cowboys' line-up.

"He's feeling good ... but it's a five-day protocol and we play in three days," Cowboys coach Paul Green said.