Washington has dismissed starting tight end Kavario Middleton for a violation of team rules less than two weeks before fall camp begins.

Middleton, a 2008 Parade All-American, had fallen behind junior Chris Izbicki on the depth chart during spring practices, but he was nonetheless considered one of the Pac-10's top returning tight ends. He caught 26 passes for 257 yards with three TDs in 2009.

The school didn't supply a reason for the dismissal, but Bob Condotta reported this on his blog:

One source (not Miller) confirmed that there is truth to rumors that a recent failed drug test was the last straw for Middleton. While UW cannot randomly drug test its athletes due to state laws, it can test specific athletes if it has reasonable suspicion.

Miller said only that Middleton had already been given "several chances'' to get back in good standing with the team.

You can read more here. And here. And here.

Middleton is the second key contributor dismissed from the team. Defensive end Andru Pulu was suspended indefinitely and is not expected to return to the team after he pleaded guilty to felony second-degree assault in April.