Penn State's Green returns to team

Senior running back Stephfon Green has returned to the Penn State football team after having been absent for undisclosed reasons, sports information director Jeff Nelson confirmed Friday.

Green, who had been expected to battle sophomore Silas Redd for the No. 1 spot at tailback during the preseason, was not included on the roster that reporters were given at the team's Aug. 16 media day, and coach Joe Paterno hinted that he was gone for good.

"Stephfon has had some problems with me," Paterno said on media day, "Right now, I think for the benefit and especially the good of the football team, it might be better if he backs away."

The 5-foot-10, 198-pound Green, who also is a key contributor on special teams, rushed for 1,085 yards in his first three years for the Nittany Lions. But his playing time lessened last season with the emergence of Redd. During Green's absence, Redd and redshirt junior Brandon Beachum have been splitting time on the first team.

While it was not known how much time Green spent with the team after the Aug. 4 start of practice before he left, he will have just one week to catch up before the Nittany Lions open their season next Saturday against Indiana State. Paterno probably will address his role Tuesday at the first of the coach's weekly teleconferences.

- Joe Juliano
and Jake Kaplan