George Hall's much-anticipated return to the football field appears to be just around the corner.

And it comes not a moment too soon for the beleaguered Boilermaker defense, which could surely use a shot in the arm after back-to-back mediocre performances to start the season.

Hall, Purdue's starting middle linebacker the past two years, plans to be in uniform Saturday after missing the last month with compartment syndrome in his left leg. Just how much the fifth-year senior contributes right away remains to be seen, but simply having another veteran on D - where Purdue starts only one senior - should give the Boilers a boost.

Hall, who was suspended for spring practice because of off-the-field incidents, says he's ready to get back into the mix.

"I was out for all of spring ball and came back for about eight days during camp (before I was injured), so I've been off dang near a whole year now," said Hall, who ranked second at Purdue last season with 77 tackles. "So I'm just ready to get back on the field and play some real football."

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