Penn St. LB, captain Lee likely to play at Michigan

Published Oct. 21, 2009 9:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

Penn State linebacker Sean Lee is practicing and expects to play this weekend against Michigan despite tweaking his sprained left knee last week.

The No. 13 Nittany Lions (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) defensive captain missed three games with the injury before returning for last week's win over Minnesota. Lee played mostly on passing downs, finishing with two tackles.

Lee said Wednesday he "felt a little twinge" in the knee on his last play against the Gophers. Lee has felt some soreness, though he hopes to ease into more playing time as the season progresses.

"I didn't hurt it that bad," Lee said. "It's probably something I have to deal with for the next few games probably."

Lee missed all of 2008 because a right knee injury.

On offense, quarterback Daryll Clark said Brent Carter and Brandon Beachum have been splitting reps at second-string tailback with Stephfon Green hurt. Green aggravated a right ankle injury last week, and coach Joe Paterno isn't sure if he'll be available against the Wolverines.

"Green has a chronic ankle that gets loose on him once in a while," coach Joe Paterno said Tuesday. "We're going to see if he can do something, but he would be a 'maybe' situation, and obviously that would be a big loss for us if he can't go."

Carter had been nursing a sore right knee injured in week 5 against Illinois. Starter Evan Royster could get a heavier workload regardless against Michigan (5-2, 1-2).

Also, Ako Poti is expected to get a third straight start in place of Nerraw McCormack (right ankle) at right tackle.