He later issued an apology for the remark, calling it an "insensitive and totally regrettable comment."

According to Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press, Reschke left the program after sending a racially-charged text message that involved one of his teammates. The message's contents, which were confirmed by an anonymous teammate of Reschke's, also involved a female friend of Reschke's. 

Reschke had used the N-word in the text, according to a screenshot of the messages obtained by the Free Press. That was what led to his departure. 

MSU did not make Reschke available Tuesday for comment, but MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio provided an update on Reschke's status when he addressed the media. 

"We started asking ourselves as a program, not me, but our players as well, did we want him back in our program or did we not?" Dantonio said at a press conference. "I've always tried to look at everything in its completeness, what best affects that young man and his future."

Dantonio said he's had ongoing discussions with his leadership council about Reschke's potential return since January and that his return will need to be approved by the team's African-American players. 

Dantonio added Reschke's reinstatement is a "step-by-step process," and it "remains to be seen" if Reschke will suit up for the Spartans this fall as a sixth-year linebacker.

He said Reschke was present and active in summer conditioning drills, and that "all indications" say the players are in favor of him returning for camp. Even if Reschke is fully reinstated, Dantonio said he will not receive a scholarship for the 2018 season. 

Reschke last played for the Spartans on Sept. 24, 2016 against the Wisconsin Badgers, and sustained an ankle injury during the game which caused him to miss the rest of the 2016 season.