By TOM LEA
tlea@espnwisconsin.com

MADISON – Senior defensive end Brendan Kelly said he felt a ‘little pop’ in his hamstring when covering a wheel route for what he tabbed the fifth time toward the end of a practice last week.

“It was the last play on scouts,” Kelly said. “I was running and looked back the wrong way. I over strided a little bit. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ It was more like, ‘Coach, I’ve got to be honest with you. I think I just popped it a little bit.”

Kelly, normally a starter at the defensive end position, did not play one snap during Wisconsin’s deflating 10-7 loss at Oregon State last week. He said he went through warm-ups but didn’t feel healthy enough to give it a go.

“At first it’s not too bad,” Kelly said. “You don’t want it to scar down too much. I got with the trainers right away and they did a good job. I was trying to go. I was chomping at the bit, but it just wasn’t right yet. We were just smart with it.

“I really respect coach for doing that. He’s got my best interest as well.”

Now, as UW prepares to play under the lights of Camp Randall Stadium Saturday night, it’s apparent the senior defensive end is ready to get involved in the game plan.

“If I had to play today (Wednesday) I could play,” Kelly said. “I’m definitely going to be able to play on Saturday.”

Junior Pat Muldoon, who started a week ago, will also factor into the defensive end rotation.