Defensive tackle Johnson returns to school, team

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said former Lions defensive tackle Ed Johnson will be back in school for the spring semester after being absent from the team all season.

The Penn State junior was found responsible for university Code of Conduct violations of sexual misconduct and confining another student against their will, according to information released in June by Penn State's Office of Judicial Affairs. Johnson received university sanctions of temporary expulsion through summer and fall semesters 2005 and a permanent loss of his on-campus housing contract.

At the start of the season, Johnson was projected to see substantial minutes rotating at the tackle position with junior Jay Alford and senior Scott Paxson.