SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Kansas starting cornerback Justin Thornton is not with the team in Arizona and will miss Wednesday's Insight Bowl against Minnesota because of disciplinary reasons.

The reason for Thornton's suspension is unknown but linebacker James Holt confirmed to reporters after Monday's practice at Desert Mountain High School that Thornton was not with the team.

"We talked to him before we left," Holt said. "You know, he understood. He's just got to straighten up a little bit and come back his senior year and show that he's a leader."

Thornton was fifth on the team with 63 tackles and had a team-high 11 pass breakups. He had nine tackles at South Florida and an interception against Sam Houston State.

Kendrick Harper, who appeared in 10 games this season but lost his spot to freshman Daymond Patterson, will start at corner in place of the 6-foot-1, 213-pound Thornton.

Harper started five of the first seven games and had an interception against Colorado. He also recorded a career high 13 tackles at Oklahoma.

"(Harper's) been playing in the spot and he's been doing very well," Holt said. "He's about 100 percent. He has his opportunity and he's taking advantage of it."

Jake Sharp missed Monday's practice with the flu but coach Mark Mangino said he would play in Wednesday's game.