George Burgess could be free to run out in the NRL for St George Illawarra on Thursday night despite facing a charge of sexual touching without consent.
The Dragons on Tuesday afternoon named Burgess in their extended 24-man squad to take on Cronulla, as both the club and the NRL await further details from police.
It comes as the NRL weigh up whether to use discretionary powers to invoke the no-fault stand-down policy on the 29-year-old, after he was charged on Monday.
A decision is not expected until Wednesday or Thursday, potentially creating for an unwanted distraction on game day or match eve.
"The Dragons are yet to receive the necessary and required information pertaining to the Burgess matter and therefore cannot come to a decision on the player's availability for Round 3," the Dragons said in a statement.
"The NRL's stringent team selection process requires the Dragons to select a 24-man squad on Tuesday afternoon.
"The Dragons will continue to work closely with all relevant parties, including the NRL integrity unit and police, to determine the next steps surrounding this matter."
Burgess was arrested following a complaint made by a woman about an alleged incident on March 8.
He has been granted bail and will face court on April 13.
Under NRL rules, players who are charged with an offence that carries a jail term of more than 11 years are automatically stood down from the competition.
Burgess' charge does not fit that threshold.
NRL bosses, however, still have the discretionary power to stand the prop down with the policy implemented in 2018 applying to players involved in allegations against women or children.
"Once we have reviewed all the facts we will make a decision on whether we will invoke the no-fault stand-down policy," NRL chief executive said Andrew Abdo said on Tuesday.
"Before we pass judgment or even provide opinion on a matter like this, I think it is very important you understand exactly what has happened as much as you can.
"Obviously this is a matter that has been charged by police and we need to review the charge sheet.
"Typically what we do in criminal matters is allow natural justice and the criminal process to unfold.
"Whether or not we invoke the no-fault stand down policy we will need to carefully consider."
Burgess' charge overshadowed the NRL's launch of multicultural round, with players and the NRL boss gathering at Belmore on Tuesday.
He was on a scheduled day off training, with Dragons players not due back until Wednesday morning before Thursday night's clash with Cronulla in Wollongong.
The Dragons became aware of the investigation when the NRL was contacted by police on Monday morning.
A premiership winner at South Sydney, Burgess played alongside his brothers Sam and Tom before a hip injury cut short his move to the English Super League in 2020.
