NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A Louisiana grand jury has reduced a felony second-degree battery charge against LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson to misdemeanor simple battery.
Jefferson and teammate Josh Johns had faced felony charges for their alleged participation in a fight that occurred in the early morning of Aug. 19 at a bar near the LSU campus, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Wednesday.
The charge against Johns was dropped by the grand jury as it reduced Jefferson's charge to a misdemeanor, and both players, suspended since their arrest Aug. 26, were reinstated to the team.
"We certainly don't condone participation in the incident, but the legal system has determined that their actions did not rise to the level originally charged, and their punishment to date related to football has already been considerable," LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said in a release. "They will rejoin the team and begin practice immediately."
Jefferson will have a role with the Tigers but fellow senior quarterback Jarrett Lee will remain the starter, LSU Coach Les Miles said.
