An off-field issue has at least temporarily cost Utah a veteran member of its secondary, head coach Kyle Whittingham confirmed Tuesday.
Senior defensive back Reggie Topps, the coach said, has been indefinitely suspended for (drum roll please) violating unspecified team rules. As noted by Lya Wodraska of the Salt Lake Tribune, Topps will remain a member of the team but will not be permitted to participate in practice, meetings or any other team activities until the suspension is rescinded.
Whittingham gave no timetable for a return.
“You never want to lose a good player but we expect our guys to handle themselves a certain way and we have to do what is best for the entire football team,” Whittingham said per the Tribune.
Coming off a 2011 season in which he played in all 13 games, Topps was projected to be the Utes’ starting nickel cornerback.