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Alabama cornerback Geno Smith got to play in his hometown last season when the Crimson Tide won the Southeastern Conference championship game in Atlanta.

Smith squandered his second opportunity.

Tide coach Nick Saban has suspended the 6-foot, 186-pound sophomore for the Aug. 31 opener against Virginia Tech inside the Georgia Dome. Smith was arrested early Sunday morning in Tuscaloosa and charged with driving under the influence.

"He's got other things to do in-house, and if he does them, then he'll be OK to play after that," Saban said Tuesday. "We've never had an issue with Geno. He's an excellent person. He's never been in trouble before, and he's never been in my office before.

"This is something everybody should learn from."

Deion Belue and John Fulton are expected to be the starting cornerbacks for the top-ranked Tide against Virginia Tech.

The Crimson Tide worked out for two hours Tuesday in their first practice since Saturday's second scrimmage of the preseason. The team will practice today after the opening of classes, and Thursday's workout will be the first focusing solely on the Hokies.

Junior linebacker Trey DePriest, who was suspended last week for violating team rules, returned to practice Tuesday.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.