Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State has declared starting defensive end/linebacker Chris Casher eligible after an academic issue kept him from the season opener. He can play Saturday against The Citadel.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound redshirt sophomore adds an experienced pass-rusher expected to replace linebacker Christian Jones, now with the Chicago Bears. Casher had 25 tackles, two sacks and five tackles-for-loss as a reserve in 2013.

FSU also announced that redshirt freshman linebacker Matthew Thomas is suspended indefinitely for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Coach Jimbo Fisher has repeatedly said Thomas was missing practices because of an ankle injury. On Thursday, the coach said the 6-3, 218-pounder would be out another week. Thomas was a five-star recruit last year but a shoulder injury in his fourth game ended his season.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.