Weis suspends Notre Dame lineman for three games after arrest

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame defensive lineman Derrell Hand, arrested last month on a misdemeanor charge of propositioning a prostitute, will be allowed to play for the Fighting Irish after serving a three-game suspension imposed by coach Charlie Weis.

Hand appeared before the school's disciplinary committee on Monday, was reinstated to the team and began practicing that day, Weis said Tuesday.

Hand entered into a pretrial diversion program on Aug. 16 that would allow him to have the charge against him dismissed in a year if he meets certain requirements, like staying out of trouble, undergoing testing for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases and paying $316 in court costs.

Hand had not played for the Irish in his first two seasons but was expected to contribute this year. He was arrested during a prostitution sting by South Bend police on Aug. 2, four days before the start of practice. He was suspended from the team indefinitely the next day.