Crichton failed to finish Saturday's thriller in front of a packed-out crowd of 16,211 at Kogarah Oval, where the Dogs extended their streak against the Dragons to four straight wins.
The Samoan international was also placed on report for using his knees as he attempted to stop Christian Tuipulotu from scoring the Dragons' opener.
Crichton was visibly in discomfort as he was tended to by a trainer as the Dogs held off a fast-finishing home side.
The centre did not attend the post-match press conference - as is customary for captains to do - but Ciraldo said the talented centre had suffered no major injury.
"He was just cramping up, in his calves, in his glutes, in his groins," Ciraldo said.
"I think he was doing his best and I thought we were better off getting him off and adjusting everyone.
"I thought the guys that had to adjust did a great job … it was another bit of adversity, but it was really good (we hung on)."
News that there was no serious injury for Crichton will be a welcome boost for the Dogs, who are already without strike winger Jacob Kiraz and utility back Enari Tuala.
There was no such relief for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who has lost emerging forward Ryan Couchman to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Off-season recruit Emre Guler could also face suspension after he was placed on report for a hip-drop tackle on Canterbury back-rower Jacob Preston.
Already without Queensland State of Origin prop Francis Molo after he took a leave of absence from club duties, the loss of Couchman and potentially Guler could test the Dragons' forward stocks early into the season.
Flanagan has been linked with a move for Wests Tigers prop David Klemmer, who was withdrawn from the Wests Magpies' NSW Cup clash on Saturday, intensifying talk his move to the Dragons is imminent.
"It's not good for a young kid, he (Couchman) is such a competitor," Flanagan said.
"It (the pursuit of Klemmer) is something for the club to deal with - I'm here to coach the footy team."
Flanagan insisted the Dragons were architects of their own downfall, completing at just 68 per cent across the entirety of the match.
"We had too many yardage errors and we never had field position, we beat ourselves," Flanagan said.
Marcelo Montoya got Canterbury off to a flyer, before he fumbled the ball on the next set and Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu crossed in the corner.
As Tuipulotu slid in to score, Crichton appeared to lead with his knees, and the Dragons were awarded a penalty try as the Bulldogs skipper was placed on report.
"He's going across to save a try and his knee hit the ball … I don't think he'll have too much to worry about," Ciraldo said.
Canterbury pulled away with tries for Connor Tracey and Blake Wilson late in the first half, before ex-Roosters forward Sitili Tupouniua crashed in for a second-half double.
Jacob Liddle scored a great solo try and Tuipulotu made it a hat-trick as the game wore on, but the Dragons had left their run too late.
