Carlton Thomas, the returning leading rusher for a Georgia football team losing running backs by the day, will be suspended for the season opener against Boise State according to published reports.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citing unnamed sources, reported Thomas will miss the Sept. 3 game for violating team rules. Georgia would not confirm the report.

Thomas, who was the team’s third-leading rusher last season, moved to the top of the list following the departures of Washaun Ealey (transfer to Jacksonville State) and Caleb King (declared academically ineligible, going into NFL supplemental draft).

That leaves Thomas, redshirt freshman Ken Malcome, freshman Isaiah Crowell and junior Richard Samuel, who moved to tailback from linebacker last week.

Thomas carried the ball 64 carries for 272 yards and two touchdowns in 2010.