Redshirt freshman linebacker Matthew Thomas will be suspended indefinitely for violations of team rules, sources confirmed to Warchant.com today.
Thomas missed FSU's season opener with an ankle injury and was ruled out for Saturday's game with the same injury. FSU hoped to have him back in the lineup for the rest of the season. He was slated to compete for a starting spot at both outside linebacker and inside linebacker prior to August fall camp. However, he saw action almost exclusively with the second team during preseason practices.
Sources within the athletic department have not disclosed the reason for the suspension but have said that Thomas should be able to return to action by mid-season, specifically the Oct. 18 home game versus Notre Dame.
Thomas missed the final nine games of the 2013 season with a shoulder injury, but traveled with FSU to the 2013 national championship game in January. He played in five games and finished the season with four tackles, two of them for loss. He was a five-star recruit coming out of Miami's Booker T. Washington high school.
Florida State is also short linebackers with Kain Daub (toe), Delvin Purifoy (shoulder) and Ukeme Eligwe (foot) all out of action. Eligwe is expected to be back in time for the Sept. 19 Clemson game.