Practice notes: Starting cornerback Troy Woolfolk works out with heavy wrap on sprained left ankle
Michigan cornerback Troy Woolfolk tackles Western Michigan's Jordan White during the first drive of Saturday's season opener at Michigan Stadium. Woolfolk, injured during kick coverage, didn't return for the Broncos' second possession.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
Woolfolk, a senior who missed all of last season after breaking his right leg and ankle, left Saturday's season-opening win against Western Michigan in the first quarter after he sprained his left ankle on kickoff coverage. He played only one defensive series before the injury and did not return.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Monday he expects Woolfolk to play Saturday against Notre Dame, although he did not address whether the senior would be back on the kickoff coverage team.
Woolfolk seemed to move well in the workout, despite wearing a heavy wrap on the left ankle.
The media saw only one snap of organized drills during its 20-minute window at practice. The rest, as has been the usual lately, was stretching and warmups.
Other personnel notes:
• Sophomore linebacker Cam Gordon also dressed for the practice and is expected to play Saturday. He has been dealing with a balky back that he tweaked early last week. It improved throughout last week, but not enough for him to suit up against the Broncos, Hoke said Monday.
• Senior receiver Martavious Odoms still is wearing a large protective device on his left forearm, which Hoke said he injured in the summer. Hoke said the first week of fall camp he expected the cast to be removed in two weeks. Odoms was fielding punts during the media's 20-minute availability at Tuesday's practice, which has been his routine since the start of camp.
• Offensive lineman Ricky Barnum, running back Stephen Hopkins and linebacker Marrell Evans, who did not play against Western Michigan because of "team issues," were suited up for the practice.
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
Keith
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.
Can some one tell me what are TEAM Issues. We have not had any team issues in 3 years.... Oh, I get it, nevermind.....Beat ND and Go Blue!!!
MRunner73
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
I was wondering why Stephen Hopkins was not in the Western game. Coach Hoke runs a tight ship so some players will learn the hard way for now about team rules and when you cross a line. I would hope that any "team issues" will see less incidents in the future as the guys realize, you don't bend the rules, there is no flexibility. Troy Woolfolk's ankle sprain has me concerned. It would be nice to know more specifics; it is a high ankle sprain? (Remember Mike Hart's) All I know is given the passing threat Notre Dame has, we will need to have Troy Woolfolk as close to 100% as possible. My gut tells me, he'll be 75% and rotated in and out and pray he does not tweak it any.
azwolverine
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:46 p.m.
I really hope that Woolfolk can stay healthy for the remainder of the season. Not only does the team need his skills on the field, but he's a worked so hard to get back it would be very disappointing for him to sustain another injury.