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Bowman out for spring game

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Navorro Bowman, who was handed an additional 12 months of probabtion earlier this week, will not play in today's Blue-White game, coach Joe Paterno said.

Paterno said Bowman's status with the team, however, was still up in the air. The coach said he wanted to sit down and talk with the linebacker before he made any decisions on the junior's future.

Bowman was back in court on Wednesday after he admitted using marijuana, a violation of his previous probation. Last May, Bowman pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct offense in connection to an Oct. 2007 on-campus fight.

Bowman had a breakout season last year, leading the Lions in tackles. He had a difficult 2008 off the field, though. His father, Hillard, died in June of a blood clot and his high school coach passed away just before the Rose Bowl. Paterno noted that Bowman has had to deal with tough issues away from the field and that it could influence what kind of punishment he'll dole out. Most likely, Bowman will be suspended through the summer, and baring any further problems, will be back on the team by the start of the preseason.

Several other players did not play for injury-related reasons. Linebacker Sean Lee is not hurt, but he hasn't engaged in contract drills during the spring since he's coming off last spring's ACL tear. The following players are out nursing injuries: running back Stephfon Green, running back Brent Carter, defensive ends Jerome Hayes and Eric Latimore and center Doug Klopacz. The following were off the game rosters for unspecified reasons: tight end Brennan Coakley and defensive tackle Tom McEowen.

Cornerback A.J. Wallace was back after a pulled hamstring. Wide receiver Chaz Powell was back from a sprained ankle.