Nathan Cleary is in hospital after suffering a compound ankle fracture that required surgery following a tackle by Phoenix Crossland on Sunday.
The Newcastle Knights hooker received a four-match suspension from the NRL judiciary on Tuesday evening.
Crossland was sent off by referee Gerard Sutton, becoming the first NRL player dismissed for a hip-drop tackle, and the Match Review Committee referred him directly to the judiciary.
NRL counsel sought a four-game ban, while Crossland's Knights defence argued there were mitigating circumstances. Crossland told the hearing he had apologised to Cleary and was genuinely remorseful.
The Knights had named Crossland for Sunday's match against the Sydney Roosters, but he must now be replaced. Harrison Graham and Deisel Hagan are in the 22-man squad.
Crossland will also miss New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup group stage, leaving three suspension games to serve before he is eligible. Jeremy Marshall-King was likely to be selected, while South Sydney's Brandon Smith could come into contention.