Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said Monday that senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk is "a little beat up" right now -- so much so, he was lifted for stretches of the Northwestern game.

On Tuesday, he made a significant step toward regaining his form.

Woolfolk worked out without a cast on his right hand for the first full practice leading up to Saturday's showdown with rival Michigan State (noon, ESPN). He had worn the cast since breaking his hand the week of the Sept. 10 Notre Dame game.

He said at the time doctors told him he would wear the cast four weeks, but he hoped to shed it sooner. In the end, it took just about that long.

Despite the injury, he played each week since -- for better or worse.

"Those are weak-minded people, but I don't listen to that," Woolfolk said at the time. "The trainers tried to tell me that I may not be able to play, but that's soft stuff. If you're a Michigan Man, you can play regardless if it's a broken hand, a broken leg -- you might not play too good with a broken leg, but I'd go out there and try to do it."

Hoke said Woolfolk, who also suffered a sprained left ankle in the opener and cut his nose against Notre Dame, still is being slowed by injury.

"He tweaks his ankle now and then a little bit," Hoke said. "His hand’s getting better, so he can use that a little more appropriately (in terms of) fundamentals and techniques."

The injuries appear to be taking a toll on Woolfolk, who began the season as Michigan's top corner but hasn't always played well. He was supplanted for stretches last week against Northwestern by true freshman cornerback Blake Countess, despite not suffering any new injuries.

"Blake’s a young guy who plays at a high rate," Hoke said, when asked about the substitution. "Watch him go down on kickoff. He plays at a high rate. He plays fast. Fundamentally, he’s pretty sound. Good change of direction and those things, and has a burst to him. But Troy’s been beat up, also.”

Other practice notes:
• Junior offensive lineman Ricky Barnum, sophomore safety Marvin Robinson and sophomore linebacker Cam Gordon did not warm up with their position groups. Barnum has not played the past two weeks since twisting his ankle against San Diego State, Robinson did not travel last week to Northwestern with an undisclosed injury and Gordon has yet to play this year because of a bad back. Hoke said Tuesday he expected Robinson to travel with the team Saturday and be available against Michigan State.

• Junior running back Vincent Smith practiced with a heavily taped right ankle, but took part in all drills available to the media and did not appear to be favoring it in any way.

• Senior receiver Junior Hemingway, who practiced last week and played against Northwestern with a large wrap on his arm, continues to wear a protective sleeve. Hoke said Hemingway "has a boo-boo," but is fine. Hemingway, who took part in all drills Tuesday, had five catches for 124 yards against the Wildcats.

• Senior receiver Darryl Stonum, who is redshirting this season due to an offseason DUI arrest, wore No. 3 during the workout, apparently simulating Michigan State receiver B.J. Cunningham. Hoke said earlier Tuesday Cunningham is the most complete receiver the Wolverines have faced this year. Stonum routinely has drawn the scout-team assignment of simulating the opposing team's best receiver.

• Freshman running back Justice Hayes, who has yet to play this year, wore No. 82 during the workout, apparently simulating senior Michigan State receiver Keyshawn Martin.

• Junior quarterback Denard Robinson, who briefly left the Northwestern game with an undisclosed left hand injury, did not wear any protection for the workout, a good sign he'll be at full health against the Spartans.

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.