Ohio State linebacker Dorian Bell has been suspended for the 2011 season because of an unspecified violation of team rules.

Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel confirmed Bell's suspension to The Columbus Dispatch on Sunday night. Bucknuts.com, which first reported Bell's suspension, cited sources who said the sophomore committed a third violation of the same team rule.

Bell appeared in eight games last season as a reserve linebacker but did not travel with the team to the Allstate Sugar Bowl for undisclosed reasons. Bucknuts.com reported he also would have been suspended for the 2011 opener against Akron before the latest infraction.

He competed for a starting outside linebacker spot this spring.

One of the most heralded recruits in Ohio State's 2009 class, Bell redshirted in 2009 before recording nine tackles last season.

Adam Rittenberg covers the Big Ten for ESPN.com. He can be reached at espnritt@gmail.com