Injury notes: Kenny Demens misses time with mild concussion, but available for Michigan football spring game
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke says his team is healthy, save for a couple "boo-boos," heading into the final two practices of the spring.
That's good news for a team that lacks depth at several key positions, especially along the offensive and defensive lines.
One player that has been nicked up, though, is reigning leading tackler Kenny Demens. The senior linebacker, who also suffered a reported arm injury earlier in camp, was held back in workouts Saturday and Tuesday with a mild concussion.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
"Kenny will tell ya, 'I probably could have gone,' but we're trying to be like we should — very cautious — with those things," Hoke said.
While Demens sat out full-contact drills, freshman Joe Bolden got some repetitions with the first team. How did the 18-year-old look?
"It was really probably a great indoctrination for a young guy," Hoke said, smiling.
"But it's been good. Him and (fellow early enrollees) Kaleb (Ringer) and Jarrod (Wilson), I'm real proud of how they made the transition. When you think about it, they'd be going to prom. ... That part of it is good, to have those reps for (Bolden)."
The only player ruled out for the spring game so far is defensive lineman Nathan Brink, who is recovering from a leg injury he suffered during Sugar Bowl workouts last year. The junior has participated in individual drills during camp but was held out of full-contact situations, Hoke said.
Receiver Jerald Robinson, who is vying for the third wideout spot, has battled an separated shoulder in camp but has played through it and is a full-go for Saturday.
"He has done a nice job," Hoke said. "I’m excited about him. "
Other than that, Michigan is mostly healthy. As a preventative measure, Hoke will limit snaps for some of his regulars in the spring game, including starting left tackle Taylor Lewan and tailback Fitz Toussaint.
They are entrenched starters with little to prove, and both were a little beat up by the end of last season. Limiting their activity helps ensure Michigan exits spring with a clean bill of health at two critical positions.
That's especially important for Lewan, a 6-foot-8-inch, 308-pound junior who is Michigan's best offensive lineman. He has the important job of protecting quarterback Denard Robinson's blind side, and his backups are walk-ons.
The Wolverines need him healthy.
"We're not going to run Fitz 30 times, and Taylor's not going to play 60 plays," Hoke said. "That's not going to happen.
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
Hailmary
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 3:41 a.m.
Good for the boys !
ted
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 2 a.m.
MICHIGAN MAN PICNIC . I would like to get a show of hands here on Mlive of how many people here would like to join us for the first in a series of Michigan Man get-togethers. On May 5th we are having a picnic at County Farm Park. We will have a wide array of people representing the wide spectrum of Michigan Men. It goes without saying that it is a men's only event. But, we urge you to bring your life-partners along if that pertains to you. But please understand that children are prohibited due to the adult nature of the picnic. There is a $ 15 admission fee. Come and enjoy good food, a fortune telling psychic, maize and blue body painting and of coarse lively Michigan Football talk !!
TrueBlueinOH
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.
Makes me a little nervous about the leading tackler! Hope he is healthy when Fall rolls around.
Matt Patercsak
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 9:32 p.m.
Lewan's realistic backup is Schofield who will slide from the RT position. If that were to happen, Kalis would no doubt start at RT. He already weighs more than Schofield.