Aztecs Bench AWOL Wagner

San Diego State running back Darrin Wagner, the team’s leading rusher and scorer, did not attend practice for the second consecutive day Thursday and will not play Saturday against Cal State Long Beach, Coach Al Luginbill said.

Luginbill said Wagner’s future with the team is uncertain.

“The door is open,” Luginbill said. “But it can close.”

Luginbill said he has received no explanation from Wagner for his absences and that he has not seen nor spoken with him since Tuesday. Wagner was seen by players and staff before practice Thursday at the Aztec football center, but Luginbill said Wagner did not attempt to meet with him.

“There will not be two sets of rules on this team: one for Darrin Wagner and one for everyone else,” Luginbill said. “There are no excuses for missing practice.”

Wagner’s troubles began this week when he failed to attend a team meeting Monday or report for medical treatment, Luginbill said. Wagner complained of a sore shoulder and knee after Saturday night’s 31-24 loss at Hawaii.

Luginbill and two assistant coaches met with Wagner Tuesday to discuss the situation. The meeting was held because Wagner had failed to meet his academic and team responsibilities, Luginbill said. Wagner attended practice that day but was held out of drills for medical reasons, trainer Brian Barry said.

Luginbill said he is willing to consider reinstating Wagner if Wagner will follow team rules, but said that if Wagner returned, he would not immediately step into his starting job.

“We’re not going to have someone miss practice and stay a starter,” Luginbill said. “He will have to earn his way back.”

The loss of Wagner for Saturday means that senior Ron Slack will start at running back in the Aztecs’ one-back attack. Slack has carried 78 times for 333 yards and four touchdowns.

Slack will be backed up by junior Curtis Butts, a walk-on from Moreno Valley High School whose only action has been on special teams. Butts is Wagner’s roommate.

Wagner could not be reached for comment.

The events of this week are the latest in the controversy that has surrounded Wagner since soon after he joined the Aztecs last season after a successful career at Lincoln High School.

Wagner quit the SDSU team last November in a dispute with Denny Stolz’s coaching staff. He transferred to Nebraska in January but stayed only a few weeks before rejoining the Aztecs under their new coach, Luginbill.

His troubles began anew in August when he missed a preseason practice without permission. But he rejoined the team the next day and went on to earn a starting position.

Wagner is the Aztecs’ leading rusher with 424 yards and nine touchdowns on 88 carries.