COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M, already shorthanded coming into its season opener against Rice, suspended four more players for two games for "violating athletics department rules and regulations."
Texas A&M announced the suspensions of senior linebacker Steven Jenkins, junior defensive end Gavin Stansbury, sophomore cornerback De'Vante Harris and redshirt freshman receiver Edward Pope shortly before Saturday's kickoff.
Jenkins and Harris are returning starters on defense; Stansbury was a reserve defensive end a year ago who is now first on the depth chart after preseason training camp.
The Aggies came into Saturday's game with four other starters already missing some or all of the game. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel is missing the first half, serving a suspension announced on Wednesday after the completion of an NCAA investigation into allegations that he profited from autographs.
Senior defensive tackle Kirby Ennis (full game), junior cornerback Deshazor Everett (half game) and junior safety Floyd Raven (full game) were suspended earlier this month after offseason arrests.
Texas A&M started the Rice game down eight players. Manziel and Everett will be eligible to rejoin the team in the second half.
The Aggies host Sam Houston State on Sept. 7 before playing No. 1 Alabama on Sept. 14 in College Station.