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Posted on Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.

Michigan DL Ondre Pipkins returns to practice 3 days after sustaining neck injury

By Kyle Meinke

Michigan freshman defensive lineman Ondre Pipkins was carted off the field on a stretcher after sustaining a neck injury during Friday's practice.

Three days later, he was right back out there.

A program spokesman confirmed that Pipkins practiced with the Wolverines on Monday. The Detroit News first reported his return.

Pipkins_Ondre.jpg

Ondre Pipkins

Pipkins, an 18-year-old freshman from Kansas City, was taken to U-M Health System for "precautionary reasons" after sustaining the injury shortly before 9 a.m. Friday. He had movement in his extremities and was in stable condition.

He was released from the hospital later that day and observed Michigan's afternoon practice session. He was not wearing a neck brace.

Pipkins is expected to provide depth on Michigan's restructured defensive line this year, following the graduation of starting tackles Mike Martin and Will Heininger. The 6-foot-3, 340-pounder could be the primary backup to senior nose tackle Will Campbell.

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

TheWay

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 6:43 a.m.

Speaking of good news regarding spinal injuries: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4311954808295

vi4mi4

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 2:43 a.m.

..Alright Ondre.. Go Blue! v

bigblue

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.

Great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve McQueen

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.

It is good to see that Pip is back. It is better to see that the staff took extra precautions to make sure that he is OK. Football is such a tough game at that level. For example, I am still dealing with an injury 20 years after I last played. Its no joke, particularly head injuries, concussions and spinal issues.

Matt Patercsak

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.

great to hear! I bet he's wearing a cowboy collar now tho...or "neck roll", whichever vernacular you choose

Hailmary

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.

Neck and back strains or stingers are very common in football. Glad to hear the young man is fine and best of luck and congradulations on a projected career at Michigan.

Terry Star21

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.

Kyle, I can't imagine what it was like watching him leave that field Friday. I'm not talking about his football career, but for his safety and welfare. I know how I felt just reading about it. And as big as he is, I know he was frightened as were his parents. I can pretty much surmise that Hoke, Borges, Mattison and crew felt like it was their own son being carted away, and there were tears. Ondre was blessed, as we all were for him to come out all right. I look at the picture just above here of that big beautiful smile he has, and I see him saying; "Hey, you know I'm always going to be all right - it's all so good" ! Good luck Ondre........ MgoBlueForTiM..can't wait to see him play.

Eric Johnson

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.

Great to hear! Go get 'em Ondre.

MRunner73

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.

That's great news. This is more than much to do about nothing because it means the precautions taken last Friday was to make sure what kind of injury Ondre has sustained. Am assuming after a battery of tests done on Ondre at U of M hospital, it was detremined that he had nothing significant. That gave Ondre, his family, the coaching staff and then the players the peace of mind that he would be OK. Good luck Ondre and glad you're back.

MichFanTex

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.

"Much ado about nothing", It's Shakespeare. You used it correctly but when written as Old Bill wrote it, it flows from the tongue so much better.