MSU's Rucker reinstated

Embattled Michigan State cornerback Chris L. Rucker has been reinstated by coach Mark Dantonio and may be able to play against the Hawkeyes tomorrow.

Here's the Lansing State Journal story.

Here's an excerpt:

Rucker, who has been suspended for the Spartans' past two games, was reinstated by MSU coach Mark Dantonio on Thursday after being released from the Ingham County Jail.

"The poor decision he made had need for serious consequences which he has now met and resolved from a team and legal perspective," Dantonio said in a statement. "It does not, however, rise to a lifetime banishment."

Dantonio said the decision on whether to travel to Iowa City for Saturday's game would be left up to Rucker and that he would make that decision today. He said Rucker definitely wouldn't start the game.

So, he's going to play.

Joe Rexrode, of the Lansing State Journal, offers his opinion here.

I agree that reinstating Rucker is the right call. But timing, as they say, is everything. Or is it image that's everything? Well, if image matters at all to MSU, this timing couldn't really be worse.

The No. 5 Spartans (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) face No. 18 Iowa tomorrow. Iowa is MSU's last real obstacle for the Spartans and an undefeated season. They go Iowa, Minnesota, bye, Purdue and at Penn State.

Dantonio knows Rucker better than anyone. His reputation, especially given the dorm assault cases from last November, is in the balance here. So is a possible national championship season.

Is this a case of convenient ethics?