Ole Miss sophomore linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche practiced Tuesday for the first time since sustaining a torn meniscus in the season opener against Vanderbilt.
Head coach Hugh Freeze said he didn’t get to see a lot of him during the practice, but was pleased with what he did see from the 5-foot-11, 207-pounder.
“He’s close,” Freeze said. “You can tell he’s got a slight hitch when he tries to burst, but he’s better than really I thought he would be. I think tomorrow morning will be a big test. Does it blow up or not. But if he continues to progress like that, then yeah, he’ll make the trip.
“If our staff feels like he knows the plan and progresses through the week where it’s not swelling up or giving him much problem, I would suspect to see him on the field.”
Nkemdiche was the team leader in tackles with 82. He also had three sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions. Junior Serderius Bryant has done an outstanding job filling in for the injured Nkemdiche, totaling 26 tackles in two games of action.
However, having a healthy Nkemdiche on the field will provide the Rebels some much-needed depth going into a battle with No. 1 Alabama Saturday.
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