Southern Miss linebacker Martez Smith is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a weekend shooting that also left two teammates injured.

Coach Larry Fedora confirmed the injury for reporters after practice Tuesday night in Hattiesburg, Miss. Smith's spinal cord reportedly was severed in the shooting outside a club early Sunday morning.

"Martez is paralyzed right now from the waist down. We are hopeful that that may change one day in the future," Fedora said. "One way or another he is going to have a productive life and we are going to be there for him either way. We hope that may change but if it does not we will all deal with it. The doctors have not given me any indication as far as recovery chances goes."

Another teammate, Tim Green, cannot speak after reportedly being shot in the neck. Defensive end Dedrick Jones also was shot.

Fedora said all three players were in good spirits. Smith was able to get into a wheelchair Tuesday and Jones was able to walk around.

"Martez got in a wheelchair and, like he is, he refused help and got in it himself and rolled himself around," said Fedora, who visted all three at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. "He got to go see the other two guys, so that was really good for him."

As for how the rest of his team is handling what happened to Smith, Green and Jones, Fedora said, "We had some long talks today. We understand that we have a built-in excuse if that is what we want to do, or this can be a special moment for us to show everyone what we are made of and that is the route they have chosen to take.

"We are going to practice hard this week and prepare. It is about four hours out of their day they do not have to worry about their brothers. They can go out and do what they love doing and it is OK to do that."

Meanwhile, police said Tuesday that they have arrested two people in connection with the shooting and they are seeking a third suspect.

Patricia Loftin Brown, 49, and Cleothus Wilkerson 25, both from Bassfield, Miss., are charged with three counts each of accessory after the fact of aggravated assault. An arrest warrant for three counts of aggravated assault has been issued for Travis Brown of Prentiss, Miss.

Brown and Wilkerson were being held without bond in the local jail pending an initial court appearance. Police said they don't know if they have lawyers.

Southern Miss had returned home last Saturday after a 31-21 win over Central Florida in Orlando, and a group of eight to 10 players went out to a club later that night. According to Hattiesburg police, a fight started inside and spilled out into the parking lot, where the three players were shot. None of the players was armed.

Southern Miss hosts Houston on Saturday.

In a related development, Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree said Tuesday the city is temporarily suspending the operating license of Remington's Hunt Club, the club where the three players were shot in the parking lot after closing time.

Hattiesburg police have said officers were called to the club 129 times between January and September of this year. No arrests were made as a result of those calls.

The club's owner has 10 days to appeal the 30-days suspension and request a hearing with the city council.

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com national college football blogger Andrea Adelson was used in this report.