RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North
Carolina State linebacker D.J. Green says the NCAA has suspended him for
the season after he tested positive for using a banned substance that
he did not identify.
Green apologized in a statement. He says he
was trying to gain weight during the offseason and took a supplement
given to him by someone from his hometown in Macon, Ga.
He says
he "wasn't responsible enough to check with our coaches to make sure
that it was something legal and now I'm paying the consequences."
The
6-foot-4, 220-pound Green had 28 tackles, one sack and one interception
in seven games last year with the Wolfpack. He missed the final five
games with an unspecified foot injury.
The suspension means N.C.
State will have to replace all three linebackers from last year. Middle
linebacker Audie Cole graduated and outside linebacker Terrell Manning
entered the NFL draft early.
Green, a sophomore, will be allowed to practice with the team but cannot play in games.
