By Craig McCarthy and Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

As Rutgers begins preparation for the 2018 football season Friday, a credit card fraud case that could involve at least eight players looms over the Scarlet Knights squad.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey told NJ Advance Media Wednesday that his office was providing legal guidance to the Rutgers police as the university agency continues its investigation.

The recent involvement of the county, even in its advisory role, speaks to the scope and complexity of the case being brought by the university police.

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Photo by Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Redshirt junior linebacker/safety Malik Dixon, senior defensive back Kobe Marfo, sophomore defensive end C.J. Onyechi, redshirt freshman cornerback Edwin Lopez, redshirt freshman defensive back Naijee Jones and redshirt freshman linebacker Syhiem Simmons will not report for the start of preseason practices, NJ Advance Media has learned.

None of the six was listed on a Rutgers training-camp roster obtained by NJ Advance Media on Thursday.

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Reached by phone, Rutgers coach Chris Ash told NJ Advance Media the six players not listed on the training-camp roster are part of an ongoing investigation and he couldn't make any comments beyond that.

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In addition, defensive back K.J. Gray and linebacker Brendan DeVera — who were dismissed from the Rutgers football program in mid-July — are at the center of the probe, three persons with knowledge of the investigation told NJ Advance Media. The three persons requested anonymity because they have not been authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.

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Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs on support for Chris Ash: Rivals can stop 'negatively recruiting against my coach'

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Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The six other players could be facing either a dismissal from the team or a suspension for an indefinite period of time. Ash said last week at Big Ten Media Day the disciplinary measures will be finalized if "potential charges come.''

None of the players at this point have been charged with any wrongdoing. Attempts to reach the players by phone have been unsuccessful.

The players and their legal representatives have been cooperating with police, according to two persons with knowledge of the investigation.

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NJ Advance Media first reported on July 12 that as many as eight players were under investigation for fraudulent use of credit cards.

Ash said he was made aware of the situation in May. He couldn’t give a timeline on when he believes the investigation will conclude, telling NJ Advance Media last week: “The legal process is running its course and eventually it’ll all come out at some point.''

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The Scarlet Knights report back for their third preseason under Ash Thursday and begin a 25-practice, four-week camp Friday. They open their season Sept. 1 at home against Texas State.

With 16 of 22 starters returning from last year's 4-8 campaign, Rutgers is looking to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2014.

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Ash said his team would “get stronger’’ from the adversity.

“I’m very proud of the individuals that we bring in and we have in this program,'' he said. "I’m very proud of the type of education that we do with these players about decision making and the tools that we give them to try to make good decisions and hold each other accountable and do the right thing. But I’m going to tell you we’re not perfect.

“It's an event that happened a long time ago that we're going to deal with and get through.’’

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Did Rutgers coach Chris Ash say the dreaded B-word at Big Ten Media Day?

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Video by Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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