Notre Dame's high-flying offense got one of its most potent players back with the return of receiver Michael Floyd. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore was second in the nation in receiving yards at 160 yards a game when he broke his left collarbone trying to make a catch against Michigan State on Sept. 19 in the third game of the season. Floyd, who had a plate placed on the bone the next day, was "hooting and hollering going down the steps" after receiving the news Monday night that he was cleared to play, coach Charlie Weis said Tuesday. Doctors, including noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews of Alabama, said Floyd's collarbone had healed enough to play _ and then Floyd's mother gave the OK. "He came back to me and said, 'I'm ready to go,'" Weis said. Floyd said although Weis doesn't plan to play him every play, he feels ready for as much as the Irish coaches want to give him. "I feel like I'm ready to go. I feel good," the soft-spoken Floyd said. Weis said he isn't worried about Floyd playing tentatively because of the injury when the 19th-ranked Fighting Irish (6-2) play Navy (6-3) at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday. "The biggest thing he's going to have to happen is to get tackled once," Weis said. "He'll get hit in practice some, but I doubt we're going to try him out in practice. I think we're going to have to wait and find that out as it happens in game." Floyd, who injured his knee last season against Navy, won't be wearing anything special to protect his shoulder, Weis said. Floyd went full speed at practice Tuesday afternoon, leading the Irish receivers through the drills. There was no heavy hitting, but he did run through five teammates as they hit receivers with pads. Floyd was the only receiver not wearing long sleeves in the 40 degree weather. Floyd said he took a few hits and landed on the shoulder several times in practice Tuesday and it felt fine. When asked if he felt as good as he did before being injured against Michigan State, Floyd said he felt better because he had stitches in his knee in that game. "I'm ready to go," he said. "I can do everything." Continued... |