Kolton Houston "is currently not with the team," a Georgia spokesman said Thursday. But that doesn't mean he won't be in the fall.

There were initial reports Thursday inferring that Houston's football career might be over. But Claude Felton, UGA's director of sports communication, later indicated there is still a chance the redshirt sophomore offensive lineman could be back for his junior season.

"Kolton is currently not working out with the team, which is the same as has been the case since his NCAA eligibility has been in question," Felton told the AJC in an email. "But his status is the same as last fall.  He's still on scholarship and work is still being done to restore his eligibility, as has been the case the last two to three years
years."

Neither Houston nor members of his family have responded to messages seeking comment and Georgia coach Mark Richt could not be reached.

Houston, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, has been ineligible to compete for the Bulldogs since he signed with them out of Buford High School in 2010. Houston tested positive for a banned substance he later said he took while recovering from a shoulder injury. Houston has remained ineligible until levels of the banned substance have reduced to what is deemed an acceptable level by the NCAA. After being subjected to multiple, regularly-scheduled tests through this past season, Houston has not been able to achieve that threshold.

Houston is a former Under Armor High School All-American who was slated to start at right tackle last spring. He has yet to a game for the Bulldogs.