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Reports: Manziel suspended for first half of opener

Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will sit out the first half of Texas A&M's opener on Saturday against Rice as part of an agreement with the NCAA and the school in the investigation to determine whether the quarterback received money for signing autographs, according to reports.

The school has yet to announce the suspension that likely would bring an end to the NCAA's probe into potential rules violations by the redshirt sophomore quarterback. Investigators met with Manziel for nearly six hours on Sunday and he denied accepting payment from memorabilia dealers for his signatures.

The suspension could be for a secondary violation of a bylaw that prohibits use of a student-athlete's name or picture without knowledge or permission.

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin had refused to discuss the situation specifically but did say Wednesday that "Johnny's handled it very well. Everything around football, he's been extremely sharp and focused."

With Manziel out for the first half of the opener, the Aggies are likely to start junior Matt Joeckel or freshman Kenny Hill at quarterback.