Matthew Thomas Suspended: Latest Updates on FSU LB's Status and Return

Florida State redshirt freshman linebacker Matthew Thomas has reportedly been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.

Warchant.com reported the news:

According to Warchant.com, reasoning for the suspension has not been disclosed but it's only expected to keep him out for about half of the season. The report specifically mentions October 18—the day that the Seminoles host Notre Dame—as the date he could return by.

The rumblings on Thomas have been conflicting. He has missed practice since August 16, with coaches stating an ankle injury to media while others, including WJXL's Rick Ballou, hinted on Twitter about concern of a NCAA investigation as the reason why Thomas was being held out.

As the eighth-ranked player in his national recruiting class and a five-star prospect per 247 Sports composite rankings, Thomas figured to play a big role in the Seminoles' offense in 2013 before only playing just three games with a nagging shoulder injury. He ended up redshirting last season, but was a full go coming into this season.

It's not an ideal time for Jimbo Fisher's crew to go down another linebacker. Delvin Purifoy and Kain Daub are already both out an extended amount of time, and the Seminoles host No. 23 Clemson on Sept. 20. The defensive unit will want to improve as a whole after allowing 31 points and 364 total yards to Oklahoma State in Week 1.