Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny is out of his nation's Six Nations opener against France in Paris on Feb. 1 due to his ongoing recovery from concussion.
Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted that Halfpenny is also a doubt for the team's second match in the competition, against Italy in Rome, on Feb. 9.
"We probably won't consider Leigh for the first couple of games," Gatland said at a Six Nations launch at The Hurlingham Club in London.
"He is making progress and improving. We are mindful at the moment that he is a bit symptomatic with headaches but he has been taking part in training.
"For us it's about easing him back in slowly. Hopefully he starts taking a more regular part in training and [we will] potentially look at including him towards the end of the tournament."
Halfpenny has not played since Wales' victory over Australia on Nov. 10, when he suffered a concussion that continues to keep him on the sidelines.
Fellow Wales full-back Liam Williams missed training this week due to a broken finger, meaning Gatland's side may be short in this position for the clash with Les Bleus.
There are further injury issues for Wales, as scrum-half Gareth Davies is suffering from a quad strain, and centre Scott Williams is nursing an injured ankle. Both players are unlikely to line up for their country at the Stade de France on Feb. 1.
Information from Reuters contributed to this article.