Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said Wednesday that sophomore outside linebacker Cam Gordon is still a question mark for Saturday against Notre Dame.

Gordon missed the season opener last week against Western Michigan due to lingering back issues, and has yet to return to full health at practice this week.

"He's still up in the air," Hoke said. "I don't talk much about injuries, and won't, but he's still up in the air.

"He did a couple things (during practice Tuesday), but not as much as we'd like."

Michigan coach Brady Hoke isn't sure if linebacker Cam Gordon, shown making a tackle against UMass last season, is ready to re-enter the Wolverines' starting lineup Saturday against Notre Dame.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Hoke said that in order for Gordon to become a full-go for this weekend, he'll have to show more at practice on Wednesday.

"I need to see him go out there and run around and play football today," Hoke said. "You've pretty much got to do things on Wednesday at a full-tilt level or Saturday you won't be effective anyway."

In other injury news, senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk has made progress with the left ankle injury he sustained during the WMU game.

Woolfolk practiced Tuesday with a heavy wrap on his ankle and, according to Hoke, should be ready to play Saturday.

"I would expect Troy will be healthy," Hoke said. "He did more (Tuesday) than I thought he would. And the thing I liked about it was that Troy wanted to do more.

"There's been situations we've all been in as coaches where some guys have played more football and are older and they may be a little more delicate about when they get back in there. But he jumped right back in and I was real pleased with the way he approached (Tuesday)."

Hoke complimented redshirting wide receiver Darryl Stonum for his willingness and ability to mimic Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd at practice this week.

"He is a team guy," Hoke said. "He's jumped in with both feet and really done a great job."

Stonum was arrested this summer and charged with operating while visibly impaired, leading to a suspension and eventual redshirt. The arrest was the second of Stonum's college career. Floyd, an All-American at Notre Dame, was reinstated and didn't miss any games for the Irish after his third alcohol-related offense.

Hoke added Wednesday that redshirt freshman receiver Jerald Robinson is also spending time impersonating Floyd this week.

"We run enough plays in the switch personnel groups that (both Stonum and Robinson) need a little air now and then," Hoke said.

Hopkins in the mix at running back

Hoke said earlier in the week that sophomore running back Stephen Hopkins would be back on the field Saturday against Notre Dame after missing the WMU game due to a "team issue."

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges said Tuesday that Hopkins could receive time this week, and Hoke added Wednesday that the 6-foot, 228-pounder is competing again with sophomore Fitzgerald Toussaint and senior Michael Shaw for snaps.

"We'll let the week play out," Hoke said. "He's done a nice job, he did a nice job in fall camp.

"I think right now (Toussaint) would be the guy who would start the game."

Hoke, Brian Kelly have a history

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has a history with Hoke, as both coaches were in the Mid-American Conference at the same time -- Kelly at Central Michigan and Hoke at Ball State.

Hoke said Wednesday that the two talk from time to time, but insinuated that they're not overly close.

"When he was in the MAC at Central he beat us three times," Hoke said. "(We talked at) league meetings. I have a lot of respect for Brian, he's a good coach. He was at Grand Valley (State) and did a good job there, (also) at Cincinnati and Central.

"We talk, let's put it that way. I don't talk to a whole lot of people, though, period."

Odds and ends

When asked if would prefer to wear shorts instead of pants on the sideline during games, Hoke let out a stiff chuckle before explaining that he really has no choice. "I think I probably have to (wear pants)," Hoke laughed. "Believe me, I'd wear shorts in a heartbeat -- you know that." … Hoke said he's not overly worried about increased television exposure this weekend, saying the game isn't about him. "You don't think about that," he said. "Everyone's different. … Everybody does stuff differently. I know I look real big on HD, but my whole point is that you're coaching kids and trying to help them. … It's not about me, it's about those kids. I'm going to coach."

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.