TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State coach Todd Graham on Tuesday further discussed quarterback Taylor Kelly's progress recovering from a foot injury that sidelined him for six weeks and in the process revealed previously unknown details about the severity of Kelly's injury.
Discussing the inevitability of some rust after such a long absence, Graham said Kelly was "coming off a broken foot and having surgery." The nature of Kelly's injury had not been disclosed previously, nor was it known Kelly had surgery. On the weekly Pac-12 coaches teleconference, Graham said Kelly had a pin put in his foot.
In two games since suffering the injury Sept. 13, Kelly has completed 32 of 57 passes for 385 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Against Utah, he rushed 14 times for 55 yards.
"He hadn't done anything for six weeks," Graham said. "I think he probably said and everybody said he was 10 percent for Washington. I doubt that probably. Not with his rhythm and timing and not doing anything for a while.
"The hardest thing to get used to is people hitting you in the mouth and chasing after you. He's coming off a broken foot and having surgery and not being able to do a whole lot. He showed great courage, and he just needs to get his timing back. He played better (against Utah) than he did the week before, and he'll continue to improve."
WESTERMAN STILL LIMITED
Starting left guard Christian Westerman remained limited in practice Tuesday, but Graham said he still could return from a leg injury against Notre Dame on Saturday.
Graham wasn't sure just how much Westerman had done Tuesday -- he spends most of practice working with the defense -- but said he thinks Westerman has a good chance to return Saturday.
"I know he's running full speed straightaway, we're trying to do some changing direction with him," Graham said. "I think he's got a good chance. He's got to practice tomorrow or Thursday the full practice and see where we're at. We'll play it by ear."
Westerman, playing his first season for ASU since transferring from Auburn before the 2013 season, injured his left leg against Washington, and Graham last week called the injury a sprain. Westerman wore a green non-contact jersey at Tuesdays' practice, and during the portion open to the media -- about 20 minutes -- Westerman was not participating.
Redshirt sophomore Stephon McCray started in Westerman's place against Utah and continues taking first-team reps in practice.
CHERRY BACK AT PRACTICE
Following his suspension against Utah for a violation of team policy, defensive end Demetrius Cherry practiced Tuesday, though Graham repeated Tuesday that he has not yet determined Cherry's status against Notre Dame.
Multiple reports have revealed Cherry was arrested late last week for misdemeanor driving under the influence. Cherry has been a key piece of ASU's defensive turnaround, assuming a starting role at defensive end with ASU moving away from the use of a Devil-backer in favor or a more traditional 4-3 scheme.
HEAT IS ON
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told reporters Tuesday he wants to try to have his team practice inside this week with the heat turned up in preparation for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff against ASU. Current forecasts predict a high temperature of between 85 and 87 degrees Saturday.
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