Still not practicing, Penn State's Lee hoping to play

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State's Sean Lee hopes to play in Saturday's Big Ten opener against Iowa, though the standout linebacker is unsure when he'll return to practice.

The No. 5 Nittany Lions' (3-0) defensive leader said Wednesday morning that the left knee he sprained last week against Temple is feeling better.

It's up to team doctors to determine whether he's healthy enough for the Hawkeyes (3-0). Lee said he thought medical staff would be cautious "if I'm not moving well and playing at a 100 percent."

The athletic senior returned to the team this season after missing 2008 with a right knee injury. He had been playing well, with team highs of 32 tackles and 7.5 for losses.

"I kind of had a feeling this wasn't going to be extremely serious," Lee said about the latest injury. "At first you get worried, you put all this work and you're going to be out again. ... I think I'm going to be all right."

Lee has only been a spectator at practice and has concentrated instead on rehab.

The prognosis for Penn State's other top linebacker, Navorro Bowman, is more optimistic. Bowman has missed most of the season's first three games with a sore right groin.

The team's leading tackler last year didn't appear to have problems pushing off his right leg in video clips of practice Tuesday.

"From the looks of it, he looks 100 percent," Lee said. "I'd be surprised if he wasn't out there making a lot of plays."

Both players are listed as possible on the depth chart.

Lee's fellow captain, quarterback Daryll Clark, said he felt Lee would go on Saturday. "He really wants to play this game," Clark said.

Clark complained of a minor stinger to his right, throwing shoulder after last week's win over Temple. He said Wednesday his arm has loosened up and should be fine for Iowa.