Mark Walton Suspended by Miami After Arrest: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes running back Mark Walton was suspended by the team Saturday following an early-morning arrest in Miami, according to NBC6 in South Florida.

Liane Morejon of WPLG Local 10 in Miami reported Walton was charged for DUI and driving with a suspended license.

Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press also reported that a source said Walton is being investigated for impersonating a police officer; however, police have yet to confirm.

Will Manso of WPLG Local 10 in Miami tweeted out a statement from Miami athletic director Blake James regarding Walton's punishment:

Walton rushed for 461 yards and averaged 3.55 yards per carry as a freshman in 2015. He also caught 22 passes for 293 yards to go along with 10 total touchdowns.

Walton was penciled in to share the backfield workload with junior Joseph Yearby, who rushed for 1,002 yards last season, but his status is now up in the air.

While the university did not reveal a potential timetable for Walton's return from suspension, the sophomore's absence leaves Miami's offense in a state of flux.

The Hurricanes looked to be a team on the rise after going 8-5 last season, especially if quarterback Brad Kaaya continues to develop. A strong running game would go a long way toward making that happen, and Walton was tabbed to be a big part of that.

It is unclear if James and head coach Mark Richt will allow the suspension to carry into the season, but if it does, then Yearby figures to have an even bigger role with Trayone Gray perhaps being asked to fill the backup void as well. 

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.