Plant’s Ely will return to action against Abilene

Posted Sep 11, 2010 by Katherine Smith

Updated Sep 11, 2010 at 02:23 AM

Plant will get starting quarterback Phillip Ely (lower leg strain) back for Thursday’s game in Texas, but they’ll be without starting offensive lineman Josh Breland.

Breland suffered a broken leg in the Panthers 20-13 victory against Hillsborough Friday night. Breland is one of the four first-year starters on the line. Michigan commit Tony Posada is the only returning starter.

Ely warmed up with the Panthers but was held out of the Hillsborough game. Coach Robert Weiner said he will be ready to play against Abilene. Ely injured his leg in the Aug. 27 Kickoff Classic loss to Bradenton Manatee and re-aggravated the injury last week against Tampa Bay Tech.

The Alabama commit was on crutches and in an air cast last weekend and the early part of the week. He did not practice with the team all week, but was able to do some light running on Thursday.