N.C. State punter Chris Ward has been suspended indefinitely, coach Tom O'Brien said Tuesday.

Ward, a redshirt freshman, was expected to take over the team's punting duties from Jeff Ruiz, who had decided to leave school after the 2009 season to be closer to home.

O'Brien said Ruiz, who is from Chula Vista, Calif., will return to the program. Ruiz, who averaged 37.9 yards per punt in 2009, will be the only punter on the roster in spring camp.

Ward is the second player O'Brien has suspended in the past three days. Defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy was suspended for his role in a fight with a shuttle bus driver in Mooresville on March 18.

O'Brien didn't give a specific reason for Ward's suspension.

"He's not with the team, [but] he's still going to class," O'Brien said Tuesday. " 'Indefinite' means at some time he'll be back or he won't be back."