Alabama DB Tony Brown suspended, sent home from Cotton Bowl

Heading into the national semifinal Cotton Bowl against Michigan State, Alabama has already suffered a loss to its defensive backfield with Wednesday's news of sophomore Tony Brown's suspension.

Brown will not be in Dallas for the game against the Spartans, as the Tide have sent him home.

#Alabama has sent home CB Tony Brown for a violation of team rules...Super fast former 5-star recruit has been very inconsistent at Bama.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 30, 2015

"We have made an internal decision to send Tony Brown home due to a violation of team rules," Nick Saban said via statement.

Brown only made 16 tackles this season but did play in 12 games for the Tide and is a key special-teams contributor.

The sophomore was an elite recruit before landing in Tuscaloosa.