Is Kaimon Rucker inching closer to returning for the UNC football program?

It's safe to say that the UNC football program has missed having Kaimon Rucker on the field.

After suffering a knee injury while working out, Rucker has been sidelined for the last four weeks. His absence is noted, as it's not easy to replace one of the country's top pass rushers.

Head coach Mack Brown stated that the injury would sideline him for a few weeks, but we may be inching closer to his return.

While speaking to the media on Monday, Brown confirmed that the plan is to work Rucker, along with running back Darwin Barlow, back into action. He also mentioned that wide receiver Christian Hamilton will still be sidelined when the UNC football program hosts Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Now, there's no guarantee that Rucker will suit on on Saturday- quite frankly it still may be a long shot, but it's good to see that he's at the point where the team's medical staff believes he can start ramping up towards a return. Rucker is most certainly itching to return as he wants to help his team, but it's also very important to pace this properly to ensure he returns as close to 100 percent as possible.

Rucker had 8.5 sacks last season and recorded one in the team's season opening victory against Minnesota. His presence on the field is huge, especially because he draws attention from opposing offenses (which opens up one on one opportunities for others among the Tar Heels' front seven).

The status of Rucker will be interesting to monitor leading up to kick-off on Saturday, as it may not be long until we see the elite pass rusher return to action for the UNC football program.