Moses pulled up sore from Blues training in Gosford on Monday and subsequent scans revealed what has been graded as a 'minor' injury.
New South Wales head coach Laurie Daley told reporters it would be "too risky" to field Moses on Wednesday, with the team optimistic he could be available for Game 2 to be played in Melbourne a fortnight later.
Bulldogs half Matt Burton has been promoted to the bench after joining the camp on Monday night.
"It's a big loss, but like Origin, you expect nothing different," Daley said.
"There are always unexpected things that happen. We’ve got a really good, strong group of men. It won’t faze them, they’ll just move on.
"It doesn’t change a great deal. I think we’ve trained well this week.
Daley insisted that a late change of combination in the halves won't impact their gameplan or its execution.
"I think we're a bit older and wiser knowing when you bring a big group of people together, they've got to be ready to go at any stage," he added.
"Ethan's trained well all week so there's no issue.
“Rep footy is working with the best of the best, so you lose a player, you get a good player to replace him, and I know that might sound ruthless, but if we’re relying on one player, then we’re not a very good team.”
Having played just six Origin games due to a whole host of injuries, including a calf strain whilst training for Game 2 in 2025, Moses spoke just last week of his excitement for being selected to start for the Blues.
"It’s been no secret that I obviously haven’t had the best run of injuries the last few years,” he said last week.
“I’ve been feeling really good at the moment, and coming into this Origin series I’ve been feeling really good.
"Touch wood I’m injury-free this series and can punch it out. I’m excited for that challenge.”
21-year-old Strange has played little more than 50 first-grade games but has quickly risen through the ranks, earning selection as a non-playing squad member for Australia's Ashes tour of England at the end of last year.
National team captain Isaah Yeo has backed the young Raider to do the job for the Blues.
"I was lucky enough to go on tour with him in the Ashes, and he was a sponge over there, but we (the Panthers) played him a couple of weeks ago, and we all laughed at half-time about how hard he was to tackle,” Yeo said.
“He can step in on short notice, and not many can do that ... I'm super excited for him.
"Obviously disappointed for Mitch, but it gives Ethan a wonderful opportunity, and he’ll do a great job.”
