Doctors clear UM's Jake Ryan to play

Linebacker tore ACL in right knee during spring practices

10/7/2013

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said today that linebacker Jake Ryan has been cleared by doctors to play, but Hoke said he will make a final decision on Ryan's playing status for Saturday's game at Penn State.

Ryan, a redshirt junior, tore the ACL in his right knee during spring practices and underwent surgery to repair the injury. Ryan has yet to play a game this season.

“I think he’s getting closer,” Hoke said. “We’ll have a good practice with him [Tuesday]. He’s wanting to play. He seems to feel okay, but we still need to make sure he can do the things that he’s capable of doing.”

Ryan, a second-team All-Big Ten selection, had 88 tackles, including 16 for a loss of 71 yards, and four and a half sacks in 2012.