Kentucky linebacker Josh Paschal poised for return from cancer treatments for season's final home game

LEXINGTON, Ky. - How about this for a late-season boost to team morale?

Kentucky sophomore Josh Paschal appears poised to make his first appearance of the season Saturday against Middle Tennessee in the final game at Kroger Field of the season. For the first time this season, Paschal is dressed out and participating in pregame warmups with the outside linebackers.

UK announced him as a starter during pregame warmups.

On Thursday, UK coach Mark Stoops hinted Paschal might be available for the Senior Day game.

Paschal, who was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on the bottom of his foot before the season, did not play in UK's first 10 games as he worked his way back from multiple procedures on the foot and cancer treatments. He returned to the practice field on a limited basis in recent weeks, but had his return delayed due to a minor setback.

Bold predictions:Notre Dame going down in the Bronx?

“I’m so proud of that kid, man,” redshirt freshman offensive lineman Naasir Watkins, who graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland with Paschal, recently told the Courier Journal. “He’s been challenged with adversity and he kept God in his heart and worked through it and now he’s got the opportunity to come back even stronger.”