Michigan LB Jake Ryan was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season, but he suffered a severe knee injury during spring drills and the fear was he might miss the season.
But Wolverines coach Brady Hoke said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Day in Chicago that Ryan's rehab is progressing well and that he likely will return in October.
Ryan (6-feet-3, 241 pounds), a junior from Cleveland, led the team last season with 88 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Without him, Michigan has just one returning starter in its defensive front seven: Desmond Morgan. And Morgan is moving to middle linebacker from the outside to take Ryan's spot.
"We're very excited about his progress," Hoke said of Ryan. "...We'll find out a little more as we keep going and getting closer. But I think sometime in October" is a likely date for his return.
Michigan plays four games in September and three in October: Oct. 5 vs. Minnesota, Oct. 12 at Penn State and Oct. 19 vs. Indiana. The Wolverines' toughest conference games are in November.
