Rutgers cornerbacks Chris Long and Malachi Melton have been suspended ahead of the team’s game against No. 19 Michigan because of “an incident involving a paintball gun,” head coach Greg Schiano announced on Tuesday.

Melton and Long were charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose for an incident that occurred on Monday night, and they were taken into police custody on Tuesday, according to municipal court records obtained by NJ Advance Media.

“I was informed that Chris Long and Malachi Melton were taken into police custody early this morning as a result of an incident involving a paintball gun,” Schiano said in a statement. “Both players have been suspended immediately.”

Melton, the younger brother of Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton, has started all three games for the Scarlet Knights this season, and has been a big part of the team’s first 3-0 start since 2012. The sophomore has recorded two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, a blocked punt, a fumble recovery and eight tackles this season. He started six games for Rutgers as a true freshman in 2020.

“We sure are blessed to have [Melton],” Schiano said after the team’s 17-7 win over Syracuse in Week 2. “I really think he is a very good corner and he is getting better every day. He is still a young guy. What’s he played, 12 college games? It is the equivalent of one season. I think he can really become a great one if he just continues to work the way he is.”

Melton was listed as a starter for the team’s Big Ten opener on Saturday, but now Rutgers will be down one of their top defensive players.

Long has been a backup, and hasn’t recorded any statistics this season.

Tuesday’s incident is only the latest in a string of scandals for the Rutgers football program in recent years.

Eight Rutgers players were either dismissed or suspended from the program in 2018 after being charged for alleged roles in an $11,000 credit-card fraud scandal. Those players, which included C.J. Onyechi and Naijee Jones, who are on the current roster, were allegedly involved in a scheme in which credit-card numbers were stolen and funds were lifted from Rutgers “Express Accounts” for personal use, according to a report by NJ Advance Media.

Schiano was hired in December 2019 with the mission statement of changing the program’s culture. Schiano has helped improve the product on the field, but so far the program still hasn’t been immune to off-the-field scandals under his tenure.

Tuesday’s incident was the first in which legal repercussions were involved. Last year 15 players tested positive for COVID-19 – causing the program to shut down voluntary workouts less than two weeks before training camp – and the outbreak was linked to an off-campus party.