Head coach Jim Harbaugh has suspended sophomore wide receiver Richard Sherman indefinitely for unsportsmanlike behavior during the Cardinal’s loss to Washington last Saturday.

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Sophomore wideout Richard Sherman has been the biggest threat on offense for the team this year. The Card will most likely miss his presence against Washington State this Saturday. #gallery http://daily.stanford.org/image/full/8165
Stanford Daily File Photo

Sophomore wideout Richard Sherman has been the biggest threat on offense for the team this year. The Card will most likely miss his presence against Washington State this Saturday.

Sherman was visibly irritated throughout the second half of this weekend’s game, routinely throwing his hands over his head in a public display of disgust. His anger manifested itself in the fourth quarter, when he was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul. After the penalty, Sherman was seen screaming at teammates and coaches on the sideline. It is unclear what was said, and coaches eventually intervened before the altercation progressed any further.

“[It] was a decision we made as a coaching staff after this ballgame,” Harbaugh told the San Francisco Chronicle. Harbaugh did not elaborate much further, but did say that Sherman will not be able to practice or participate in any other activities with the team during his suspension.

While the length of his suspension is unknown, Sherman will, in all likelihood, miss this Saturday’s game against Washington State.

His absence is one the Cardinal might not be able to afford. With Sherman out and the status of senior Mark Bradford — who has been battling knee problems — still up in the air, the Cardinal receiving corps will be shorthanded come Saturday. Freshman Doug Baldwin may be forced to start his first game at wide receiver for the Cardinal.

Additionally, Sherman is Stanford’s most productive receiver. On the season, he has caught 38 passes for 646 yards and four touchdowns.

“It’s a decision that all of us obviously respect, but it’s very unfortunate, because this is a big game for us and we need Richard on the field,” senior receiver Evan Moore told the Chronicle.

But Moore said that in the end, the incident would be a good educational experience for Sherman.

“He’ll learn from it,” Moore told the San Jose Mercury News. “He brings a lot of emotion to the game. But sometimes he lets it get the best of him.”