FORT DRUM, N.Y. – Sophomore wide receiver Steve Ishmael left Tuesday’s practice early after banging up his left knee in a collision with freshman center Andrejas Duerig while trying to field a punt.

Ishmael, one of SU’s first-string wideouts on the preseason depth chart, was part of a punt returning drill and as he ran back and to his left to track a booming Riley Dixon punt, he drifted into another group’s drill where he collided with Duerig. Ishmael stayed on the ground for about five minutes and was surrounded by four trainers and then head coach Scott Shafer. When addressing the media shortly after 6 p.m., Shafer said it’s just a bruise on his left knee and that Ishmael “will be fine.”

The sophomore led SU in receiving touchdowns last year with three, and was second in receptions (27) and receiving yards (415).

He was helped over to the other side of the field by two trainers and laid down next to the ambulance on site while trainers worked on his left knee while he put his hands to his facemask.

Wide receivers coach Bobby Acosta and director of football operations Drew Robinson came over before Ishmael eventually got up under his own power. He slowly paced back and forth a couple times before riding a stationary bike.

He then progressed to a slow jog and returned to an area out of the media’s sight before coming back to the stationary bike.