PITTSBURGH — Pitt sophomore defensive back Elijah Fields was suspended for the upcoming season Tuesday by coach Dave Wannstedt for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Fields played in eight games as a freshman, mostly on special teams, and was expected to be one of the top players on Pitt's defense this season.

"Although we have suspended Elijah for the season, he will remain part of our program and practice," Wannstedt said in a statement. "We will continue to demand that he work hard on the field and in the classroom so that he can be an important part of our program's future."

Fields was a multisport star at Duquesne High near Pittsburgh, and was The Associated Press Pennsylvania Class A player of the year as a senior in the 2005 season.