Injury update: Ondre Pipkins back in pads, Roy Roundtree progressing for Michigan

Posted on Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 6:45 p.m.

Injury update: Ondre Pipkins back in pads, Roy Roundtree progressing for Michigan

By Kyle Meinke

Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree is getting close to returning to practice after having knee surgery earlier this month.

Ondre Pipkins is back at practice. Roy Roundtree is getting close to joining him.

That's positive news for the Michigan football team on the injury front.

Coach Brady Hoke said Tuesday that Pipkins, a freshman defensive lineman who suffered a neck injury during Friday's practice and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, has fully recovered.

Pipkins returned to practice Monday, and is wearing full pads. He has no limitations.

Hoke said the injury occurred during a one-on-one drill under his supervision.

"I was there and we didn't think it was going to be real bad, but you're not sure," Hoke said. "It was my drill. Just a one-on-one.

"Our medical staff here did a phenomenal job of taking the right precautions and all that. He's back in full pads, practicing, doing everything."

Roundtree had arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 10 and isn't due back until next week. Hoke, though, said he's already running in pads and getting "close" to making a full return to practice.

"He's progressing very nicely," Hoke said. "I don't want to speculate on (a return). He's running, I've seen him running, he was in full pads today, just doing stuff with the trainers and those people."

Asked if he thinks Roundtree will play in the Sept. 1 opener against Alabama, Hoke said "I would think so."

Roundtree is Michigan's career leader in receptions and is expected to be the team's No. 1 wideout. Pipkins is expected to provide depth behind starter Will Campbell at nose tackle.

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

heartbreakM

Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.

Picky note in last paragraph: Roundfield is not the career leader in receptions. Maybe he is this team's leader in career receptions, but career receptions leader belongs to....Braylon Edwards, right?

redceder1

Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.

But it sounded good right? Kyle is all about the hype. He said Pipken's injury was the third major injury of camp. A torn ACL is a major injury. Missing a couple practices with a sore neck is not.

edjasbord

Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : midnight

Anybody have any thoughts on what it means that Campbell is practicing at the 1 and 3 tech positions? Kyle? Nick?

edjasbord

Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 8:06 a.m.

Thanks Kyle! Makes sense.

Kyle Meinke

Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:07 a.m.

edjasbord, Campbell practicing at 3-tech could mean a lot of things. What I think it means, simply, is that Michigan just wants to have a "beef line," so to speak, that it can go to when it needs a big front. Such a package could come in handy in goal-line situations, or in short yardage or on true running downs. It's hard to speculate much, because Hoke didn't elaborate on this topic. But I think having a heavier line as a supplemental package makes a lot of sense. I think Black will remain the primary 3-tech.

edjasbord

Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 1 a.m.

Thanks Matt. I was wondering if it meant anything negative about Will's progress at the 1 tech or Black's progress at the 3 tech. From your explanation, it sounds like they are working on a 'supersized' front for 3rd and short situations or goal line stands. Regardless, if moving WIll over means inserting Ondre, that is great news all around.

Matt

Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.

My guess is if they have Big Will practicing both the 1 and 3 tech they have a lot of confidence in Ondre's abilities meaning he might get onto the field as nose and the coaches would then slid will over to the 3 tech so they have more size up front

Terry Star21

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.

Pipkins "..... and is wearing full pads. He has no limitations". Roundtree "....he's already running in pads and getting "close" to making a full return to practice". Will miracles ever cease ? Who'd a thunk Friday evening, we'd be hearing these two statements ? Great time to be a Michigan football faithful - I am sooooooo ready for a bama beatdown ! MgoBlueForTiM...best of luck Ondre and Roy......