Senior safety Taylor Richards was suspended for the first two games of the season by Darrell Hazell, according to a report from the Indy Star.
Richards' suspension stems from his arrest in December 2013 for a DWI. Hazell stated, "He'll [Richards] be out the first two games." Richards started the last 25 games over the previous two seasons. In 2012, Richards finished with 51 tackles and 6 pass breakups. Last year, Richards recorded 64 tackles, which was 3rd most on the team.
Richards will miss the game against Mid-American Conference teams Western Michigan and Central Michigan. His first game back would be against Notre Dame on September 13.
There are several options to replace Richards. Robert Gregory and Anthony Brown could see playing time as could Dezwan Polk-Campbell and Evan Feichter.
That is not the only bad news for Purdue at safety. Landon Feichter will miss the first half of the opening game against Western Michigan after he was ejected for targeting in the season finale of 2013 against the Indiana Hoosiers.