Notre Dame Football: An Update on Suspended Receiver Michael Floyd

As many Fighting Irish fans know, star receiver Michael Floyd was handed a citation for drunken driving on March 20.

It was his third alcohol related offense during his career at Notre Dame. Swift punishment followed.

Upon hearing the unfortunate news, head coach Brian Kelly indefinitely suspended Floyd from all football-related activities.

That meant that he was not allowed to participate in spring practices, the Blue-Gold game, conditioning workouts, etc.

He was stranded on his own lonely island. However, good news came his way at the beginning of this month.

It was announced that Floyd would be permitted to participate in the voluntary summer workouts.

That was great news for Floyd, the team and, most of all, the fans.

Despite his being allowed in summer workouts, there's still a very real chance that he may never play in another game for the Fighting Irish again, according to Kelly.

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"He makes one mistake, in terms of how he handles himself, he doesn't play here ever. There is no suspension, there is no sit for one game. He's got to live his life the right way."

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That's a shocking reality for a player who is responsible for much of the team's success.

Even though Coach Kelly has laid out such a strict policy for Floyd to follow, there is still positive feedback as the situation has progressed.

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"When I talk to Mike, I get a good read. When you look somebody in the eye and you feel like you're getting the right vibes from him, that's how I feel about him right now."

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If the underlying message in that statement isn't "Floyd is going to play this year", then I don't know what it is.

If Kelly hadn't already made his decision about Floyd's future in an Irish uniform, he wouldn't have made a statement like that to anyone, let alone the press.

As a realist, I would be shocked if he didn't play this season.

Floyd is such a critical component of Kelly's offense, and without him, the team likely won't qualify for a BCS game as is expected heading into the 2011 season.

Put your worries about Floyd to bed. You'll see big No. 3 lining up against South Florida on Sept. 3.