Linebacker EJ Carter dismissed from Syracuse football team

Linebacker E.J. Carter is no longer a member of the Syracuse football team, a spokesperson from SU Athletics confirmed Thursday afternoon. Though per his policy on players leaving the program, SU head coach Doug Marrone would not elaborate on the reasons for Carter’s departure, the spokesperson said.

Carter, a 6-foot, 220-pounder, started eight games at outside linebacker for the Orange as a freshman in 2009. In 10 games, Carter compiled 24 tackles and 2 sacks. During spring practice, Carter was penciled in to start once again in 2010.

According to a report in the Syracuse Post-Standard, Carter missed an important exit meeting with Marrone Friday morning and did not accompany the team on a mandatory event that night, prompting Marrone to dismiss the Orlando, Fla., native from the team.

Per team policy, each player must meet with the coaching staff before leaving school following the spring semester. The purpose is to grade the players on their spring performance, give them work for the summer and inform them where they stand on the post-spring depth chart.

The Post-Standard report said that Carter took an early flight home Friday, May 7, as opposed to staying through the weekend. As a result, he missed the mandatory meeting and team event.

Carter briefly left the team before spring practice began in late March, and had been left off the team’s spring depth chart before ultimately returning to the team. Carter was also suspended for ‘a violation of team rules’ in October, causing him to miss three weeks of practice and two games.

Check dailyorange.com for further updates as they become available.

 

aljohn@syr.edu

 

Published on May 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm