David Molk on track to return against Penn State, other injury notes

Center David Molk will practice this week and is expected to play Saturday against Penn State after missing the last four games with a broken foot, Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez said.

"Medically, everything has been cleared for him to go to practice, so I think it is just a matter of how comfortable he feels with that and getting back in action," Rodriguez said. “He really hasn’t done much football wise. He did a little bit last week, but nothing with full pads so tomorrow will be the truer test as opposed to today."

Molk injured his foot in the first half of Michigan’s Sept. 19 win over Eastern Michigan. He stayed in after halftime, but has not played in a Big Ten game this year.

Rodriguez said he’s not worried about cohesion on the offensive line, though the Wolverines (5-2) made several changes to compensate for Molk’s loss.

Right guard David Moosman moved to center and right tackle Mark Huyge started the last four games at guard.

Rodriguez said Moosman will return to guard against Penn State and either Huyge or Perry Dorrestein will start at tackle.

"Moose has been able to gel pretty well in there, but Molk’s been around, he’s been in meetings, he knows any changes we’ve made the last couple weeks," left guard Steve Schilling said. "He’ll be able to pick it up. He’s a smart player and our chemistry wouldn’t go away, I don’t think."

Rodriguez also said it was “invaluable” for running backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown and quarterback Tate Forcier to get, essentially, a week off last week against Delaware State.

Minor (ankle) and Brown (concussion) did not play in Michigan’s 63-6 blowout, and Forcier (shoulder, concussion) played just one series. All three were limited in practice.

Forcier is expected to practice without limitations this week for the first time since before the Indiana game.

"I think having him practice every day has to help immensely," Rodriguez said. "And with Carlos and Brandon, sitting out the weekend’s going to help them feel - and I don’t know if Brandon Minor will be 100 percent, but he should at least be better than he's been the last couple weeks."

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.