Denard Robinson won't rest much before Michigan football team faces Indiana

By Pete Bigelow AnnArbor.com

Posted on Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 4:20 p.m.

Injured knee or not, Denard Robinson won’t get much of a break before the start of the Big Ten grind.

Rich Rodriguez said a knee bruise might limit the Michigan football team’s quarterback during Monday’s practice -- a light day anyway -- but that Robinson would probably practice as scheduled Tuesday.

Robinson, the nation’s leading rusher, is expected to play against Indiana on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPNU).

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson slumps down on the sideline after injuring his knee against Bowling Green.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

He injured his left knee midway through the first quarter last Saturday against Bowling Green and didn’t return. He finished the game with five carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

“I wish he would have stepped out before he got hit,” Rodriguez said Monday. “He is a tough guy, and this is a physical game. Quarterbacks will get hit, sometimes when they’re running a lot, sometimes when they’re drop-back passers.” Rodriguez said it is important to keep his sophomore quarterback involved during practice, and not limit his repetitions with the first team.

“I think the quarterback, especially, has to stay in there to stay sharp decision-wise,” he said. “You don’t have to run him as much. You blow the whistle after he gets five yards downfield instead of running 40.”