Jihad Ward was listed as probable when the Illini released their injury report for Friday night's season-opening game against Kent State.
Ward, a senior defensive end and one of the Illini's best defensive players, was expected to miss the first two games of the season, as reported by former head coach Tim Beckman midway through the month of August.
Ward's injury, reported to be a knee injury, required minor surgery, and Beckman said he'd miss the opener vs. Kent State and the Week 2 game against Western Illinois. But the injury is apparently healing faster than initially expected, and it looks like Ward will play Friday night.
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The senior defensive end is coming off a strong 2014 campaign in which he recorded 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.
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Additionally, wide receivers Mike Dudek and Justin Hardee as well as linebacker Mike Svetina were ruled out for Friday's game. Interestingly, Dudek, who tore his ACL during spring practice, has not been designated as out for the season, which does apply to defensive back Patrick Nelson, defensive lineman Teko Powell and running backs Reggie Corbin and Dre Brown.
Illinois opens the 2015 campaign — with interim head coach Bill Cubit at the helm — at 8 p.m. Friday night in Champaign.