Jesse Ramien is set to pay the price for his high shot on Matt Dufty, with the Cronulla centre facing up to four games on the sidelines for the hit.
The NRL on Monday levelled the more serious charge of a "reckless" high tackle against Ramien, which carries with it 400 demerit points.
He will be able to reduce his ban to three weeks with an early guilty plea, but regardless it will come as a big and needless blow for the Sharks.
Ramien was sin-binned on the field for the tackle, when he came in with a swinging high arm and clocked Dufty high when he had already been stopped in a tackle.
The incident in the Sharks' 32-18 win sparked an all-in brawl, while St George Illawarra fullback Dufty was taken from the field for an HIA.
Cronulla have big games against Canberra and Parramatta in the next fortnight, before clashes with North Queensland and the Sydney Roosters.
Their backline depth is also lacking, with Jackson Ferris and Jenson Taumoepeau their other options at centre.
Winger Nene Macdonald could also be an alternative.
Meanwhile Sharks teammate Aiden Tolman will avoid a ban for dangerous contact on Mikaele Ravalawa, with a $1500 a fine the punishment.
