One hurdle for suspended Tulane running back Robert Kelley to return to the team could be cleared after charges of simple battery and simple robbery were dropped, according to Orleans Parish court records posted Tuesday.
Kelley, a senior, has not played this season. He was arrested Aug. 4 after a student told Tulane police Kelley struck him and stole his bicycle July 30.
Kelley had been suspended from the team since before practices began Aug. 4 due to academic reasons, coach Curtis Johnson said during the summer.
Court records for Kelley's arrest said the victim in the reported assault was allegedly attacked later that same evening by two other Tulane football players -- freshman Eric Bell and junior Royce LaFrance.
The school said Aug. 27 Bell was suspended from the team, and LaFrance was to be suspended for the first half of a game Aug. 28 at Tulsa.
The school could not confirm those suspensions were related to the July 30 incident. Neither player was booked in connection with the assault.
While Bell has not played this season, LaFrance has played in all four games, and started each of the three since his first-half suspension. Kelley, an O. Perry Walker product, finished second on the team in rushing yards as a junior.