An “unprovoked assault” (which we’ll continue to call until proven otherwise) on Montee Ball initially kept the Wisconsin running back out of fall practices due to a concussion.
With the start of the season just weeks away, though, coach Bret Bielema is slowly easing his preseason Heisman candidate back into the rotation.
Ball was in a helmet and pads on Friday and will rejoin the team for full drills on Monday, though he won’t be hitting anybody (or the other way around).
“Next week we’ll probably break him in, keep him in a green jersey, out of contact for another week,” Bielema said. “Then two weeks out from the game, we’ll hit the ground running.”
Interestingly enough, Bielema added that he’s still flirting with the idea of Ball returning kickoffs this season.
(Hat tip: Wisconsin State Journal)