Shaun Johnson: From bad to worse for Kiwi NRL league star

Shaun Johnson's topsy turvy career has suffered another blow with Cronulla saying his injury appears to be a major one.

Johnson does have one glimmer of good news - the Sydney Morning Herald "understands" the NRL may treat his dressing room gaffe favourably if it is proven he used his phone to call family and friends. The NRL's stance on Johnson was not attributed to any official though.

Since 2017 the NRL has banned players from using phones in dressing rooms on match days, to prevent possible communications with gamblers. Among the things they wanted to prevent is players informing agencies or punters on whether they would return to the field.

Kiwi star Johnson was caught using the phone after being forced out of the match with the Broncos.

But coach John Morris was gloomy over the former Warriors star's hamstring problem.

"He left the field in some discomfort. We have got to get him scanned and hold our breath again," coach John Morris said after the loss in Brisbane.

"When he walks off with that amount of pain you wouldn't expect it to be a minor complaint so fingers crossed."

Johnson made for a disconsolate figure in the sheds and was reported to be "absolutely gutted".