Jacksonville State's Ealey in drug arrest

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JACKSONVILLE, Ala., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Jacksonville State football player Washaun Ealey, arrested Wednesday on marijuana possession charges, was suspended from the team, a school official said.

The senior running back will not play in Jacksonville State's home opener against Chattanooga Saturday.

Ealey, 23, was released by police after being charged with misdemeanor counts of second-degree marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, The Anniston Star newspaper reported.

Ealey was arrested after university officers searched his campus apartment after receiving a noise complaint.

"This is a violation of team policy," JSU Athletics Director Warren Koegel told the Star. "He's suspended for this game against Chattanooga and we're going through the proper channels according to the policy. ... Obviously this is a concern and we're dealing with it. He will not play."

Ealey, who gained more than 1,000 yards last season after transferring from Georgia, injured his right knee in the Gamecocks' season-opening loss at Arkansas last Saturday. He had 9 yards on four carries.

At Georgia, Ealey was arrested in 2010 for leaving the scene after hitting a parked truck in a school parking deck and driving on a suspended license.