After several surgeries and more than three weeks of hospitalization, Penn State safety Ryan Keiser is finally on his way back to Happy Valley.
Nittany Lions coach James Franklin announced Tuesday that Keiser is out of the hospital and soon intends to rejoin the team. The senior suffered a fractured rib Oct. 23, and he was forced to undergo operations for a related small bowel injury. He remains out for the season.
"I know our players and everybody is fired up," Franklin said. "I know his family is excited. It's great to have him back home with us."
The senior safety likely won't watch all that much practice from the sideline this week, since he's not yet 100 percent and temperatures at Happy Valley are below freezing, but Franklin said it still would be great to have him around campus.
"I do think his presence around the facility will be important, and I'm excited and looking forward to that," Franklin said.
Keiser is a former walk-on who quickly made an impact after he redshirted in 2010. He's played in 42 games, starting 11, and earned a scholarship.
In six games this season, he had 25 tackles along with an interception and three pass deflections. He also made calls for the defense.
"I'm just excited to have him back," center Angelo Mangiro said. "He's a great guy, a great leader for us, and I'm just happy for him that he can be around us, hang out and that his health is better."