Report: Suspended Notre Dame players 'unlikely to play the rest of the season'

It is unlikely that the five Notre Dame players involved in the school’s internal investigation into academic fraud will play this season, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

The decision to hold the players out, per the Tribune, is “part of the rulings handed down by a school ‘honesty’ committee, which oversaw honor code hearings for the five players.”

The honor code hearings for the five players – cornerback KeiVarae Russell, defensive end Ishaq Williams, linebacker Kendall Moore, wide receiver DaVaris Daniels and safety Eilar Hardy – were completed last Friday. The school said in a statement Sunday that it would disclose its findings to the NCAA but would not reveal any punishments for the student-athletes publically.

Though the results of the hearings are deemed confidential, the university said in its most recent statement that players can speak publically about their individual rulings “if they so choose.” The Tribune is reporting that it is unclear “if all of the players – or just some – knew the results of their hearings.”

The players have not practiced with the team since mid-August, nor have they participated in any games for the 5-0 Irish, now ranked No. 6 in the country. Though head coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday that decisions on the five players, all of whom have remained in school, were “imminent,” the players did not practice Wednesday.

Three of the five players involved – Daniels, Russell and Williams – were listed as starters on the team’s depth chart during preseason camp. Moore and Hardy were reserves.

The Fighting Irish host North Carolina at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

For more Notre Dame news, visit IrishIllustrated.com.

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper