CHICAGO -- Penn State's depth at defensive tackle could receive its first test before the season begins.

Defensive tackle Abe Koroma likely won't be back on the team for his redshirt junior season because of some "personal problems," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said Monday at Big Ten Media Day.

"I'm not sure," Paterno said about Koroma. "I doubt if Koroma will [be back] 'cause he's got some problems."

Koroma was suspended for three games last season after being charged with possession of marijuana. The Centre County District Attorney's office placed him on Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition five months later.

Koroma made 26 tackles last season, with two and a half for a loss. He had 1 1/2 sacks.

"I don't know for sure what's up with him," senior linebacker Sean Lee said. "We know Coach is gonna make the right decision -- best decision for our team and for Abe -- so right now we don't know for sure. It's still up in the air."

Lee, a co-captain for Penn State, said he and his teammates have always tried to help Koroma and said he is pulling for him to make it through his situation, though the specifics of Koroma's situation were not clear Monday.

"I'm a big fan of Abe. Abe's a great guy and a great football player," Lee said. "I know he wants to be part of that team really bad, but like I said, Joe's gonna make the right decision for the team."

Should Koroma not be on the team in the fall, the Lions would still return last year's starters at defensive tackle, Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu.

Redshirt sophomore Devon Still is also expected to contribute after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during preseason drills in 2007 and breaking his left ankle last August.

Quarterback Daryll Clark, Penn State's other captain, said although it is easier for players to lose focus in the offseason, it is up to the team's leaders to restore order.

"We have tons of leadership that if someone gets sidetracked, we'll bring them back to where they need to be in order for us to be that successful football team," Clark said. "We had a couple of mishaps here and there, but nothing major."

Paterno also said senior cornerback A.J. Wallace had cut some classes, but did not elaborate on how that might affect Wallace's situation with the team.

Paterno's comments came six days after Penn State announced that fifth-year wide receiver James McDonald was removed from the team after he was charged with DUI earlier this month.