Brown, Suttles dismissed for violation of team rules

In a statement Thursday night, Bo Pelini announced that Thomas Brown and Ernest Suttles are no longer with the program following an incident that occurred last weekend.

The statement from NU media relations:

"We are aware of an incident involving student-athletes which occurred off campus over the weekend. We are working with the University's Dean of Students in gathering further details. We will continue to review the incident. Further, Head Football Coach Bo Pelini has announced that Ernest Suttles and Thomas Brown are no longer members of the football program."

No official details of the incident have been released, but rumors have been swirling since Sunday.

After redshirting his first year on campus last season, Brown was expected by many to compete for the starting Buck linebacker job over the off-season. Praised for his pure athletic ability, especially as a pass rusher, there was also some talk that the 6-foot-2, 220-pound native of Gardena, Calif., could line up at rush end on passing downs to help bolster the Huskers' pass rush off the edge.

As for Suttles, he was considered a key member of Nebraska's 2013 recruiting class, particularly because he filled a definite need position at defensive end. Known for his aggressiveness and ability to get to the quarterback, the 6-5, 240, Suttles racked up 88 tackles, 31 tackles-for-loss, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two blocked field goals during his senior year at Tampa (Fla.) Gaither High School last year.

The Florida native was a three-star prospect who chose the Huskers over the likes of Tennessee, Iowa State, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, South Florida, West Virginia and others.

Even though neither player had seen a single college game snap yet, Nebraska will have to find a way to fill the voids left by Brown and Suttles at the defensive end and linebacker positions, which were already facing serious depth questions coming into the 2013 season.