ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior strong safety Thomas Gordon will not play in Michigan's season opener, a university spokesperson confirmed to ESPN.com on Saturday. Gordon is serving a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules.

"It is important that our 115 sons represent this university and program to the high standards we hold," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said in a press release. "But at times, like in society, our kids make poor decisions, and when they do, it breaks your heart. With those choices come consequences. Thomas was not accountable to his teammates, and he has learned a valuable lesson from this situation."

Gordon's absence leaves the Wolverines without either starting safety as they head into the game against Central Michigan on Saturday. Last weekend, free safety Courtney Avery underwent arthroscopic surgery and the university announced he'd miss the CMU game and possibly next weekend's match-up against Notre Dame.

Filling in at Gordon's spot will likely be redshirt junior Josh Furman -- whose name was also mentioned as a position backup to Avery -- as well as true freshman Dymonte Thomas, who enrolled early with the Wolverines last winter and has been getting much praise from coaches throughout fall camp.