Ailing assistant coach Elston rejoins Notre Dame

Published Sep. 17, 2010 2:52 a.m. ET

foxsports

Notre Dame defensive line coach and special teams coordinator Mike Elston, who has been hospitalized for a viral illness, has rejoined the team.

Head coach Brian Kelly said Elston, who missed Saturday's game against Michigan, will travel with the team to East Lansing, Mich., but won't coach against Michigan State on Saturday.

''He is going to be back with us real soon,'' said Kelly, who said Elston received a standing ovation from players on Wednesday.

Kelly didn't release details about Elston's illness other than it was a virus. Kelly said last Sunday that Elston had given at least 72 vials of blood to be tested for his illness.