The forward has sat on the sidelines since 2019 after being charged with serious sexual assault charges.

The court proceedings have taken longer than anticipated, his first trial last year unable to conclude.

The second trial is expected to deliver a verdict this week, with lawyers delivering closing statements last week.

While a guilty verdict will reaffirm the NRL's decision to implement the no-fault stand-down policy after de Belin's arrest, a not guilty ruling could see the star rushed straight into the Dragons side.

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The former NSW forward spent the first two years of his suspension training with the squad, a presence former coach Paul McGregor has since conceded negatively impacted the team.

New coach Anthony Griffin has taken a different approach, keeping de Belin away from the playing group.

The Dragons are currently short a forward, Trent Merrin's retirement opening up an opportunity for de Belin.

While a potential return will provide a boost to a team that slumped to a third-straight loss on Sunday afternoon, Griffin will wait until the court proceedings conclude before considering de Belin's status.

"[This week] will be significant for Jack," Griffin said.

"As a club, that's something we'll just make our decisions on what happens in the courts. It's been going on for a long time now, one way or another, it will come to a head this week."

Griffin's comments came after his team's 16-8 loss to the Tigers at WIN Stadium, the team below their best in a disappointing performance.

Boom youngster Zac Lomax left the field after just 18 minutes, while Cody Ramsey was also unable to complete the match.

Lomax dislocated his thumb and Ramsey suffered suspected fractured ribs, the pair to undergo scans on Monday to determine the next course of action.

Should Lomax have also suffered a fracture, he could be set to miss four to eight weeks, severely impacting his State of Origin chances.

The injuries are a major test of the Dragons depth in the outside backs, Mikaele Ravalawa and Jordan Pereira currently serving suspensions. Brayden Williame also has a calf injury that has kept him out of the side.

The club could turn to youngsters including the Feagai twins, with Max lining up on the wing in Sunday's loss.

While the Dragons made a host of errors during the defeat, their defensive effort ensured the match remained close.

The Tiger's weight of possession eventually proved too much, two second half tries enough to secure the win.

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Griffin was disappointed with the result, but praised his players effort in defence.

"It (the performance) wasn't good enough. We worked terribly hard defensively, they had 60% of the ball. In the second half, we just couldn't get out of our own end.

"A lot of that was credit to their set ends, they put a lot of pressure on us, we ended up with 35-36 per cent of ball in the second half.

"They grabbed us early through a couple of errors and we spent the whole half trying to get out of our own end. It was a disappointing night out."

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