Brady Hoke: WR Roy Roundtree has 'good' chance of playing against Alabama
Michigan's Roy Roundtree, center, is expected to be a leader at receiver after the Wolverines lost Junior Hemingway (graduation) and Darryl Stonum (dismissal) this offseason.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Roundtree underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Friday after tweaking the knee in practice. He is not expected to return to camp for at least two weeks -- which puts him back just days before the opener.
What are the chances he'll be ready in time?
"I think they're good," Hoke said.
Hoke said the senior is working daily with rehab specialists and is "doing great."
Roundtree is coming off a down season, production-wise, after catching only 19 passes last year. But his 123 career catches for 1,724 and 12 touchdowns more than double the production of the rest of Michigan's receivers combined.
That makes him a valuable entity at the position, and a key figure in a passing game that was erratic last year.
Offensive coordinator Al Borges said if Roundtree misses time, the leading candidates to replace him at flanker would be sophomore Jerald Robinson, junior Jeremy Jackson and freshmen Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson.
No change in Toussaint, Clark
Hoke said he has yet to make a decision regarding the status of suspended starting tailback Fitz Toussaint (drunken-driving arrest) for the opener against Alabama. The junior missed a week of practices before joining camp Monday.
"He's out there like the others running around," Hoke said.
Sophomore defensive end Frank Clark (facing second-degree home invasion charge) also remains suspended and his status against Alabama is unknown.
Toussaint is due in court Aug. 28, four days before the opener, and Clark will be in court Sept. 11.
Wormley to undergo surgery
Hoke said freshman defensive end Chris Wormley has not had surgery after tearing his ACL earlier this week, but will "in the near future."
"Most likely he'll miss the year," Hoke said.
Hoke said Wormley was injured during a football activity.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Wes
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
He may be limited. Removing some cartilidge is not that invasive of knee surgery these days. Ingram had the same surgery. I think that he missed the first game but came back for duke. He wasn't 100%, but he played ok.
Wally the Wolverine
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
If Roy is able to play against 'Bama, it would truly be remarkable. Though, making hard cuts in a pass pattern is quite another thing.
Tom
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 2:31 a.m.
Great news! Roy can build on his one catch, 10 yard performance vs. the Hokies in the Splenda Bowl. Where's the threat?
Terry Star21
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.
It's quite incredible, the marvels of modern medicine - who'd a thunk he would even have a chance to start rehab so soon ? Roy's one of the nicest people you will ever meet and wishing him a speedy recovery. Good luck champ. MgoBlueForTiM...catching the ball, spanking the bama...
SEC Fan
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 1:30 a.m.
Ya'll really should be writing political speeches! "after a down year" last year???? uh...he's a Junior, right? so, he's only played 2 years. 1 year good...most recent year, bad... but yeah, go ahead and believe his first year is indicative of how his college career will go...especially since his QB's best season was last year....
Steve McQueen
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
Roundtree aka "Shaft" after the fictional movie character, will be back and fine. I remember when Marshall Faulk had his knee scoped in the middle of a Rams season, and he missed the bye week and was back the next game.