"The man, the legend is back," Mark Dantonio said with a smile during his weekly press conference Tuesday.
He was referring to Jalen Watts-Jackson, the safety who picked up Blake O'Neill's fumbled snap on a punt and returned it 38 yards for a game-winning touchdown in Michigan State's all-time great win over Michigan last weekend.
Watts-Jackson scored on one of the most improbable plays you'll ever see in a college football game and then improbably suffered a serious injury. He broke and dislocated his hip and was taken to an Ann Arbor hospital, where he had surgery.
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Dantonio was asked to provide an update Tuesday and informed reporters that Watts-Jackson is back in East Lansing but won't be playing any football for a while.
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"Jalen got back last night, yesterday afternoon, so he was in the offices and training room," Dantonio said. "The update is it's all set, his hip has been repaired, set. He has to stay off of it for three months, so it's a long process. And then after that, he'll be able to start rehabbing it. I'm not sure how long that takes him out, probably takes him out for spring, possibly, as well, but we'll see. It just depends on how he handles the rehab. But he was in good spirits."
Watts-Jackson shared his own message Monday on Instagram:
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"Very bittersweet end to my season. This morning I had surgery on my hip putting me out for the season. But if I got the chance I would do it all over again for my brothers. God has a plan for everyone, and I will not question any obstacles I encounter on my journey. #spartanswill"