Michigan State interim head coach Morris Watts said Tuesday that quarterback Jeff Smoker's return to the football program this season is "not a very good possibility."

Through his family, Smoker announced Sunday that he has sought help for a substance abuse problem. The third-leading passer in school history, Smoker was suspended indefinitely Oct. 24 for violating team rules.

"Jeff apparently has been fighting this battle alone for some time," Smoker's family said in a statement released Sunday. "When (former head coach) Bobby Williams and the rest of the staff became aware of Jeff's problem, they responded immediately and for this we are grateful."

Williams was fired Monday, two days after the Spartans' worst loss in 55 years -- 49-3 to rival Michigan.

Smoker's family said it "had hoped to keep this matter private until Jeff was well and ready to speak about it, but it appears that we cannot have that luxury."

University spokeswoman Becky Olsen said Sunday that the family was not immediately releasing further details about the type of care Smoker was receiving or the nature of the substance abuse.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.