Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he thinks redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Threet will be able to play Saturday after suffering a bruised elbow during last weekend's loss to Toledo.
Threet didn't practice Sunday and the Wolverines were off Monday. Rodriguez said he hoped Threet would get some work during practice the rest of the week.
"We think he'll be available Saturday," Rodriguez said. "It is just really a bruise, so you don't know how long those things will linger."
Threet was injured during the first half of the Toledo game, but Rodriguez could not pinpoint the exact play when the injury occurred.
Backup Nick Sheridan replaced him and Sheridan completed 8-of-16 passes for 65 yards and two interceptions against the Rockets. For the season, he's thrown one touchdown against five interceptions.
Sheridan started the season opener against Utah, but was replaced by Threet. The two split time through the Wolverines' first two games, but Threet has gotten the starting nod the past five games.
Threet has completed 67-of-132 passes for 708 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions through the air and carried the ball 37 times for 114 yards and another score.
Rodriguez said regardless of who's in the shotgun, the playbook won't change. He said while the Wolverines' have struggled on offense this season and the quarterback play has been inconsistent, both Threet and Sheridan have improved and started to pick up the offense.
"You got to do what you know," Rodriguez said. "Inevitably that guy's got to be able to do some things for you. Our guys can. It's just been frustrating, the progress at times. We're going to keep working with them and I think they'll continue to progress."
Penn State coach Joe Paterno said both quarterbacks are similar, and since both saw time against Toledo, the coaching staff has plenty of film to study. He also said since both quarterbacks have the same capabilities, the defense won't alter its preparations much, regardless of who starts.
"They're not going to change their offense because one guy's in or the other guy's in there," Paterno said. "They may emphasize one thing a little bit more than the other thing, but we gotta get ready to play what we've seen offensively."
Senior safety Mark Rubin agreed with Paterno that the defense won't make too many adjustments with a potential quarterback change.
He said he's more concerned with the offense as a whole, and said both quarterbacks are more than capable of directing the offense.
Rubin said Michigan's history of quarterbacks speaks for itself. Every Wolverine starting quarterback since 1989 has played in the NFL.
"We've seen from each of them that they can play and they can play at a high level," Rubin said. "Anytime you're the starting quarterback at Michigan, you are a great football player. That's no surprise."
Notes: Rodriguez also said running back Brandon Minor is questionable this week with bruised ribs. Defensive end Brandon Graham, wide receiver Martavious Odoms and cornerback Donovan Warren will play against the Lions.
