The Dragons were caught on the hop by the charge with the NRL integrity unit only informing the club on Monday afternoon after Burgess had earlier addressed media following his NRL return last week.

He was subsequently named in an extended 24-man squad for the clash with the Sharks on Tuesday, but was always at long odds to retain his spot in the game-day 17.

Coach Anthony Griffin confirmed the England Test forward won't be a late inclusion on Thursday, hinting that the 30-year-old could be looking at a lengthier stint on the sideline as the NRL investigates.

"It all happened really quickly on Monday afternoon and we haven't got any information from the NRL as to whether he'll be stood down or not stood down because it's in that grey area as far as the [no-fault] stand-down policy," Griffin said.

"From a football point of view, it was just in the short-term until we got more information about it and how long it would take. He was named at [number] 24 until we got more information.

"We left him in the squad, but it's going to take a bit longer now I'd understand so he'll come out [of the squad] today and someone else will go in. We haven't got anymore information as yet so we're probably going to move on because it's going to drag on."

The maximum penalty for the charge falls below the threshold for the NRL's no fault stand down policy to be automatically invoked, but CEO Andrew Abdo retains the discretionary ability to stand a player down.

Former Penrith player Tyrone May was stood down under the discretionary provision in 2019 over charges of recording an intimate image without consent to which he ultimately plead guilty.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, Abdo would not be drawn on whether he will utilise his discretion in Burgess' case but the NRL released a statement on Wednesday saying investigations into the matter are ongoing.

"[The NRL] notes that St George Illawarra Dragons player George Burgess has not been selected for tomorrow night's NRL Premiership Game," the statement read.

Following Burgess being charged with a criminal offence, the NRL is continuing to consider all available information and will offer the player or his representatives the opportunity to speak with the NRL.

Once the NRL has considered all available information, a decision will be made in the coming days concerning the application of the game's No Fault Stand Down Policy."

It's an unlikely to see a swift resolution to the matter but Griffin said the club won't preempt any NRL decision in regards to standing Burgess down.

"At the moment they haven't made any decision," Griffin said.

"We won't be taking any action until we know the full story, like everyone. We don't know enough about it so we just need to wait until we get the information from the NRL about what they're going to do.

"We're in the dark as to that information. It's an NRL matter now and [Burgess] and the people who are looking after him will deal with that. Then it's a matter for the [Dragons] board and the CEO.

"The NRL and our people will sort that out, we're just looking forward to the game on Thursday night."

It's yet another scandal for the club that stood by Jack de Belin through a three-year legal saga after he was charged with six counts of aggravated sexual assault in December 2018.

He was the first player stood down under the no fault policy but returned to the NRL last year after juries failed to reach a verdict in two trials and the DPP opted not to pursue a third.

Read more: Jack de Belin opens up on three-year criminal court saga

Griffin's first season in charge of the Dragons last year was also de-railed by an infamous barbecue at the home former prop Paul Vaughan in contravention of NRL COVID protocols and public health orders.

It saw Vaughan sacked and 12 other players hit with suspensions and a combined $300,000 in fines.

The Dragons subsequently dropped their remaining eight games of the season to tumble out of finals contention, but Griffin refuted suggestions the club has a culture problem.

"Things happen, every club goes through it at some stage, that's life these days," he said.

"It is what it is. It's not about me or anyone personally. We're just getting ready for a game tomorrow night."

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