Thomas Gordon suspended for Central Michigan game

Fifth-year senior strong safety Thomas Gordon will serve a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules, the Michigan athletic department announced through a press release Saturday morning.

Gordon will not play in the Wolverines' home opener against Central Michigan, which begins at 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

"It is important that our 115 sons represent this university and program to the high standards we hold," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said in the statement. "But at times, like in society, our kids make poor decisions, and when they do, it breaks your heart. With those choices come consequences. Thomas was not accountable to his teammates, and he has learned a valuable lesson from this situation."

Gordon, who has started 27 career games, was expected to be a veteran leader in the defensive backfield this season, especially with sophomore Jarrod Wilson taking over at free safety.

Gordon has tallied 171 career tackles (81 last season), 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions and four pass breakups.

Redshirt junior Josh Furman, who has seen the field on defense in just two games, is No. 2 on the depth chart at free safety. No. 3 is true freshman Dymnote Thomas, who is followed but true freshman Delano Hill.