Jack de Belin won't be seen in Mudgee this week after St George Illawarra chose not to select him in the Charity Shield squad due to welfare concerns.
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De Belin has pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated sexual assault and will return to court in April.
His immediate playing future will be decided when the ARL Commission meets on Thursday to consider changes to the code's governing of player behaviour.
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De Belin was ruled out of the club's opening trial last weekend because of a virus but was up for selection for Saturday's Charity Shield clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Glen Willow, only for the club to rule him out.
"In the interest of player welfare, Jack de Belin will not travel with the squad to Mudgee or participate in the Charity Shield," the Dragons said in a statement on Tuesday.
Despite de Belin's absence it will still be a strong and high-profile Dragons squad which makes the trip to Mudgee.
Coach Paul McGregor is keen for as many of his leading players as possible to get some strong minutes in the lead-up to the NRL round one clash with the North Queensland Cowboys.
James Graham, Tyson Frizell, and Tariq Sims headline the forward pack while Ben Hunt, Gareth Widdop and new recruit Corey Norman have also been selected.
"The Charity Shield is always a good contest with the atmosphere and intensity to rival an NRL game," McGregor told the club's official website.
"We'll be running out a side this week that will be as close as possible to what we're looking at for round one."
