Julius Jones will not participate in spring practice after he recently violated University rules. The sophomore tailback is suspended for the 15 practices but will be able to return in the fall.

Jones led the Irish with 657 rushing yards, 1,169 all-purpose yards and seven rushing touchdowns last season.

"It's tough but he understands the consequences if he does something that's against school rules," junior tailback Tony Fisher said on Tuesday. "I hope he prepares and stays focused."

Fisher also must heed his own advice. He underwent left shoulder surgery on Jan. 12 and will miss spring practice. He suffered the injury in the spring of 1999 and had been playing through the pain ever since.

Fisher, the Irish's second leading rusher in 2000, is currently working out with the team but cannot lift weights with his left shoulder.

"I'm basically doing everything that the team is doing except I won't be participating in contact drills," Fisher said. "They say rehab usually takes about six months but right now I'm way ahead of that. In my mind I feel good enough to play in the spring. But they (the coaches and trainers) don't want to risk it."

With Jones and Fisher out, junior Terrance Howard will likely receive the bulk of carries this spring. Howard ranked third on the team in rushing yards last season. Freshman Garron Bible and sophomore Chris Yura are also expected to see time at tailback when practice starts on March 27.

"(Terrance) will already be a step ahead of me and Julius," Fisher said. "He'll have to take his opportunity and try to run with it."

• University suspends Jones for spring practice
  
• Irish improve to 14-3 by beating Miami, West Virginia