Troy defensive end T.J. Jackson has returned to practice, though his status for Saturday’s opener vs. Stephen F. Austin remains unclear.

Jackson, a first-team All-Sun Belt pick in 2022, was indefinitely suspended on Aug. 3 for an unspecified violation of team rules. Speaking on Monday’s Sun Belt Conference coaches teleconference, Trojans head coach Jon Sumrall would not disclose Jackson’s potential availability for Saturday’s game.

“T.J. is back practicing with the team,” Sumrall said. “He’s still facing some internal things, disciplinary-wise. I’m not going to comment on his availability (for games), but he’s back with the team.”

The 6-foot-1, 262-pound Jackson emerged as a standout for the Trojans in 2022, leading the team with 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks along with 55 tackles and two forced fumbles. The former Stanhope Elmore High School standout was expected to lead the defending Sun Belt champions this year as one of four returning starters on the defensive front seven.

As for safety Reggie Bracy’s status, Sumrall has no update. Bracy was indefinitely suspended by the team on Aug. 10 after being charged in a law enforcement probe into illegal sports betting by athletes at Iowa, his former school.

Sumrall said any decision on Bracy’s return would come from outside the football program.

“Reggie is away,” Sumrall said. “Some things are external; I’ve got no control over that. Until I get some external information back, I don’t really have anything that I can do. … If we’re told they’re allowed to re-enter, there are a couple of team decisions as to what that looks like.”

Bracy, a junior from Mobile, joined the Troy program over the summer after entering the NCAA transfer portal at the end of the 2022 season. Prior to his suspension had been working as a back-up safety in preseason camp with the Trojans.

Troy hosts Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The game will stream live via ESPN+.