Analysis ($): Vs.: Which position group needs to make strides during bye?

Eventually David Blough made it to the table Saturday to get his right shoulder looked at by Purdue's athletic trainers.

But it was a slow walk off the field in the fourth quarter of Purdue's 28-10 loss to Michigan. On second down, he was drilled into the turf after an incomplete pass and immediately reached for his right shoulder, while writhing on the ground. He stayed in the game, though, and on the next play, he was sacked. He slowly rose, trotted off the field and didn't immediately seek help. He did slow rotations with the right arm, seemingly testing it out.

Blough had so recently known pain there.

During a scrimmage in training camp, Blough injured that throwing shoulder significantly — though no one has ever said publicly exactly what the severity was — so much so he initially feared his season was over. It wasn't until receiving good results from an MRI days later Blough was able to take a breath.

He's breathing easier now, too, having gotten more good results in Round 2, so to speak.

Jeff Brohm said Tuesday during the Big Ten teleconference Blough has a slight AC sprain in the shoulder.

Blough after Tuesday's practice that it's the same shoulder but not the same injury.

"This one is less severe than the last, so that is encouraging," Blough said. "We’re working through it. Rehab has been going good. Bye week came at the right time, I think. For a lot of guys on our team, the bye week has come at the right time."

Purdue practiced Monday, Tuesday and will again Wednesday before getting Thursday, Friday and Saturday off. It'll return to the field Sunday, its normal light walk-through day, and turn attention to next week's opponent, Minnesota.

The Boilermakers enter the bye at 2-2, while the Gophers are 3-0 and open Big Ten play Saturday against Maryland.

It's possible Blough, who has started the last two games, will be able to prepare to play Minnesota. If not, sophomore Elijah Sindelar will be ready. Sindelar has played in every game, started the first two and led Purdue's only scoring drives last week against Michigan.

Brohm, though, hopes Blough is ready to practice next week.

So does Blough.

"I think Sunday I should probably be able to go," he said.

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