Michigan RB Kalel Mullings nearing return from injury

Michigan running back Kalel Mullings is nearing a return from injury.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan running back Kalel Mullings is nearing a return from injury, Jim Harbaugh confirmed Monday.

Mullings, a reserve running back who emerged with productive games against Minnesota and Nebraska before missing time with an undisclosed ailment, has resumed practicing as the Wolverines prepare for Purdue.

“Kalel is back practicing,” Harbaugh said Monday at his weekly press conference when asked whether Mullings will be available Saturday night.

When healthy, Mullings will provide another valuable option for U-M in the backfield. The senior, who made the full-time switch from linebacker last offseason, has 23 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown so far this year. He enjoyed his best game against the Gophers on Oct. 7, when he carried eight times for 47 yards and added a 13-yard reception.

Mullings also plays on special teams.

“He’s just really putting it all together. Putting the leg cycle together, the downhill running together,” Harbaugh said earlier this fall. “To be able to lower his pads at the line of scrimmage, keep the legs going, as well as you can run through arm tackles. Didn’t look like those arm tackles were there on the 20-yard run. There was probably four to eight arms that he ran through on that run. Like an arrow through snow is what it looked like to me.

“… He’s just really hitting it, really running good,” Harbaugh said. “I think his confidence is right there. He can write the book on what a big back is supposed to be doing. Striking while the iron is hot, let’s go, Kalel. I’m all about it. Saw it coming the last few weeks. Now it’s here. Bodes well for us.”

The Wolverines are 8-0 and in position to factor in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff race as November begins. Coming off their bye, the program has remained relatively healthy thanks in some part to their commitment to rotating players and sitting starters at the tail end of blowouts.

“I think the biggest thing is we have to do what have to do to win the game,” running backs coach Mike Hart said earlier this fall. “I think those 30 carry games last year [for Blake Corum] was when people were banged up and we didn’t have as much depth. It’s something that we don’t have to do this year. You’d rather have a fresh guy in there.

“My mentality is: I don’t really want someone to carry the ball 30 times. There’s no need with what we have right now for that to happen. … I want to get through this year everyone healthy and get to where we have to get to with everybody as healthy as they can be.”

The Wolverines face Purdue on Saturday night at the Big House. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on NBC.