Passler is left out of the team for Wednesday's relay despite being allowed to compete in the Olympics while her doping case is being investigated.
All of the nominees - Hannah Auchentaller, Michela Carrara, Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi - have been on the podium twice each this winter.
They probably didn't dare take Passler out, because the team would be disqualified if she was later convicted of doping.
She has tested positive for the banned substance letrozole. The Italian anti-doping agency believes she ingested it unknowingly or through contamination.
Passler is not qualified for the final mass start in the Olympics.
