OSU's Noah Spence not practicing after second failed drug test

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Monday that defensive end Noah Spence is no longer practicing with the team but has not been dismissed.

Spence was suspended indefinitely after a second positive test for the drug ecstasy. Spence's parents told The Columbus Dispatch earlier this month that their son is seeking treatment for a "medical illness."

Spence is waiting on whether his appeal of the second suspension will be granted, according to a report from ESPN.com. It is unclear whether Spence will play for the Buckeyes again.

Meyer, who was hired at Ohio State in November 2011 after stops at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida, has come under fire for his handling of off-field issues involving his players.

"He's getting full‑time treatment," Meyer said of Spence, according to The Plain Dealer in Cleveland. "He is working out just for his well‑being. When is it's a zero tolerance (offense), those are things we wrestle with all the time. I've been criticized for many years about I treat these guys like they're my kid, and I'm not a big fan of dismissal.  I just don't do that very often. It's gotta be a severe one, where you're hurting someone else. 

"I'm doing the best – not I – Ohio State, it's an institution based on educating people so we're doing our very best to (help). What the future holds for Noah, I have no idea, but to throw him to the street, I didn't feel like that was appropriate just yet." 

Spence missed Ohio State's Orange Bowl loss to Clemson and the first two games of this season after the Big Ten suspended him three games for his first positive test. 

The junior was named first-team All Big Ten by media after recording eight sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season.