Wide receiver Jordan Norwood expects to play Saturday against Wisconsin after missing the past two games with a sore left hamstring.

"I think going nuts is the best phrase to use," Norwood said, describing watching the Illinois and Purdue games from the sidelines.

The Nittany Lions' options in the passing game could be limited even with Norwood's return. Tight ends Mickey Shuler and Andrew Quarless each sprained an ankle, and coach Joe Paterno didn't get into specifics on whether the two might play Saturday.

He said he would have a better idea of their status later this week.

Shuler re-injured his left ankle against the Boilermakers after initially hurting it against Temple. Quarless has seen most of the action against Illinois and Purdue, but his status hinges on a sprained left ankle.

Paterno said redshirt freshman Andrew Szczerba would play if Shuler or Quarless can't. Szczerba's backup would be Greg Miskinis.

Norwood spent an hour and a half to two hours rehabbing his left hamstring Tuesday, and he had more work to fit in before the start of practice. He has done a series of leg exercises, running in pools, taking cold baths and stretching to nurse a hamstring back to health.

Norwood injured his hamstring Sept. 22, and he also said his knee was bothering him before the hamstring injury developed.

Cornerback A.J. Wallace, who has had his own hamstring problems in his three years at Penn State, said Norwood is running routes and looking healthy. Quarterback Daryll Clark said the receiver practiced Monday at about 80 percent.

For Wallace, the physical aspect of dealing with a sore hamstring was half the battle.

"When you first come off when you have that rep, you tend to think, 'Can I really sprint as hard as I can on this?' " he said. "You can't second guess it."

Norwood's return gives Clark the team's leader in receiving yards (318) and touchdown receptions (4).

Norwood lines up in the slot and is usually matched up against a safety. Clark said Norwood's route-running ability and hands make him a mismatch for most safeties.

"He's always underestimated because he's such a small guy, but when that happens, he always makes them pay the price," Clark said. "He's always the guy that comes to work. ... I'm always told that whenever he's lined up with a safety, he's going to pop open. He does a good job of exposing those types of pass coverages."