Posted on July 23rd, 2010 by David Whipkey

By David Whipkey

Unfortunately for Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, one key member of his defense squarely placed himself in the police blotter after he allegedly assaulted a man outside a Pittsburgh art gallery.

Senior defensive end Jabaal Sheard was arrested earlier this week and faces a variety of criminal charges after he allegedly threw a 27-year –old man through a glass door. He faces a preliminary hearing July 28 on charges of felony aggravated assault, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.

Authorities said several officers attempted to prevent the 6-foot-4 260 pound Florida native from continuing the Sunday morning assault, but their baton blows were rendered useless as he reportedly tossed the alleged victim through the door of La Fond Galleries located along East Carson Street in the city’s South Side neighborhood.

Pitt Sports Information Director E.J. Borghetti confirmed Sheard was suspended indefinitely from the team.

Even if Sheard can avoid jail time, Wannstedt faces the difficult task of either allowing the talented all-Big East performer back on the squad with a multiple game suspension or removing him from the roster altogether.

Wannstedt has shown a history of allowing bygones to be bygones. He kept then senior linebacker Adam Gunn on the squad after a run-in with city police last summer. The coach also gave safety Elijah Fields second and third chances to right his ship before giving the Duquesne native the boot this spring.

Even if Sheard is allowed back, he will most likely miss the season’s first two-to-three games. This means the defense will be missing one of its key components against Utah in the season-opener along with the week three game at home against the Miami Hurricanes.

If that is the case, talented back-ups such as Brandon Lindsey and Shayne Hale will need to contribute and do so early.

Even if they perform well, Sheard’s presence will surely be missed and present a hefty challenge for the Panthers as they embark on what they hope will be a run to the Big East title and a BCS berth in 2010.