Alabama middle linebacker Trey DePriest has been suspended by Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban for a violation of team rules.
Saban announced the discipline at his evening post-practice news conference, but noted DePriest's time off could be relatively short.
"He will be eligible to return to the team if he does what he's supposed to in relatively short order. If he does those things, he'll be back with us in as soon as a week," Saban said.
DePriest made 12 starts and 56 tackles for the Crimson Tide last year, despite a nagging ankle injury that he was able to play through. If he returns as quickly as Saban suggested he could, he will be back with the team in time to prepare for its opener against Virginia Tech in Atlanta. With DePriest out of practice, options for first-team repetitions include veteran Tana Patrick, sophomore Reggie Ragland and freshman five-star signee Reuben Foster.
"We have a lot of respect for Trey," Saban added. "He's played very well for us, he made a mistake, he didn't do the right thing, it wasn't a very smart thing to do and there has to be consequences sometimes when you don't do the right things."
While DePriest went on suspension, reserve tight end Malcolm Faciane came off suspension and joined the team for practice.
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