Three players suspended from the team for off-field issues are back practicing with the squad, according to Paterno.
Sophomore cornerback Knowledge Timmons and freshman linebacker Navarro Bowman have both been reinstated to the team and sophomore tight end Andrew Quarless is waiting on grades from summer courses to learn his fate with the Nittany Lions.
"They're still with us," Paterno said. "I'm still waiting for grades on Quarless. Timmons and Bowman right now have been practicing with us, as is Quarless, but he knows he has to get a certain grade, and I won't get into that."
Regarding the recent dismissal of defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor, Paterno said it was not a reaction the recent ESPN Outside the Lines feature regarding Penn State's recent off-field problems.
But instead of getting into specifics, Paterno said the reason for the dismissal was legitimate but he didn't want to hurt their chances to become a part of another program.
"I don't want to embarrass anybody anymore than I have to... I don't really want to get into it now," Paterno said. "The reasons that I dismissed both Taylor and Baker are reasons that the squad knows, and I feel comfortable it was the right decision.
"Now, whether that's right or wrong, I don't know. You know, it's a very difficult -- trying to be fair is not exactly easy when you're playing God with somebody's life, particularly at that age."
Bani Gbadyu
Weeks ago, Bani Gbadyu received a call from his distraught brother, Emmanuel.
Weeks later, the matter is unresolved as Gbadyu prepares to begin his redshirt sophomore season as a first-time starter.
Gbadyu's 22-year-old brother faces deportation to Liberia after a string of legal issues. Emmanuel Gbadyu pleaded guilty to second-degree assault chargers in February 2007, resulting in a 78-day prison sentence, and began a one-year sentence seven months after his release after being found guilty of marijuana possession.
On June 20, Emmanuel Gbadyu received a sentence of 364 days on possession of firearms, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
Bani Gbadyu left State College for a week in early July before returning in the days leading up to Lift for Life on July 11.
The family is still in the process of finding an immigration lawyer to resolve the situation and keep Emmanuel Gbadyu in the United States, the country he, his brother and father, Digoa, boated to eight years ago.
"It's hard," Bani Gbadyu said. "It's your brother. It's my best friend. It's hard to do, but it's a business. Everybody's got their own problems. Mine's just one little problem."
Gbadyu has concealed his personal troubles from most everyone associated with the program. Captains were informed in July, but Gbadyu didn't tell his coaches since they could do little to improve his brother's status.
"I'm trying to black that out right now, get through camp and keep my starting spot. ... It's in the back of my head, but I can't really show it when we cross that blue line."
Wallace injures hamstring
Cornerback A.J. Wallace tweaked his hamstring and missed practice Thursday and Friday. He will return to the field sometime this week.
Wallace was in one-on-one drills when he read a sweep route and felt a twinge. An MRI revealed slight bleeding.
"I was heated when it happened," Wallace said. "Sean [Lee] talked to me, calmed me down and said 'Hey, just take it as a learning experience. You can't help things that happen like that. Just sit back and watch practice and learn."
News and notes
Offensive lineman Nerraw McCormack is not practicing with the team until Joe Paterno is satisfied with his conditioning. ... Chaz Powell, a former defensive back, has been moved to wide receiver. ... Defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu switched his number to 95 from 85. ... Wide receiver Graham Zug has earned a scholarship. ... Mike Lucian, who started at right guard last season before Stefen Wisniewski took over, is listed as center A.Q. Shipley's backup.
