COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After briefly returning to the practice field last week, Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence is no longer participating in team activities while awaiting word on an appeal of a second failed drug test that currently has him suspended indefinitely.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer says suspended defensive end Noah Spence is getting treatment and working out on his own. Zach Bolinger/Icon SMI

While the All-Big Ten performer is facing the permanent loss of his eligibility due to conference rules, Spence isn't facing dismissal from coach Urban Meyer in the meantime.

"He's not going to practice now," Meyer said during his Monday news conference. "That was just last week. He's not practicing, getting full-time treatment and working out just for his well-being.

"What is a zero tolerance [policy] when an addiction has set in or whatever? The decision, when you harm yourself or harm your team, we wrestle with those all the time. I've been criticized for many, many years about how I treat these guys. I treat them like they're my kid, and I'm not a big fan of dismissal. I don't try to do that very often. It's got to be a severe one where you're hurting someone else."

Spence's situation does harm the Buckeyes on the field, leaving them without a pass-rusher who leads the team with eight sacks.

Meyer has classified the failed drug tests as a medical issue that Spence is addressing and says the program won't turn its back on him during that process. The time may come where it's no longer up to Meyer or Ohio State, but for now nothing has changed except for his availability on the practice field.

"You know, we're doing the best we can," Meyer said. "... What the future holds for Noah, I have no idea. But to throw him to the street, I didn't feel that was appropriate just yet.

"We're going to do the best we can to get him help. The guy was an Academic All-Big Ten, good student, great family who has a problem, and it's our job to help him."