The timing might have been better, but cornerback Lamar Grant is happy just to be back on the field.
Head football coach Carl Franks announced yesterday that Grant's indefinite suspension had been lifted just in time for this week's showdown with No. 1 Florida State.
The suspension was imposed on the first day of practice after Grant violated an unspecified team rule.
"Lamar has done everything we have asked of him both on and off the field," Franks said. "He has worked extremely hard to be a productive member of this team even without playing a game. I'm excited for his return and proud of him."
Grant, who had been playing with the defensive scout team during his suspension, will likely make his return to the starting lineup Saturday, replacing sophomore Quentin Holley. Although defensive assignments are yet to be finalized, Grant could spend much of his Saturday chasing down All-American receiver Peter Warrick.
It was the same assignment Grant had last season, when Warrick caught two touchdown passes in a 62-13 Seminole win.
"I'm just glad to be back," Grant said. "It doesn't matter who we're playing, if it's Georgia Tech, Virginia, Florida State, whoever, I'm just ready to be on the field again."
Although Grant missed a month-and-a-half of practice with the first-team defense, he appeared confident about making the transition from the practice field to the playing field.
"With the scout team, I had to play against Scottie [Montgomery] and Richmond [Flowers]," Grant said. "They're as good or better than just about anybody I'll see."
Neither Franks nor Grant would be more specific on the nature of the infraction that caused the senior cornerback to miss the first three games of the season.
Grant, however, was adamant that the month-and-a-half episode had finally reached its conclusion.
"I had to prove to Coach that I was ready to come back," Grant said. "I went out and I did that, and he thought that I was ready to come back."
Grant recorded a team-high 10 passes broken up and one interception while starting all 11 games for the Blue Devils last season.
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