COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The pink cast is gone. In its place is a black wrist brace that will still keep Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott from doing anything substantial for another six weeks.

But Elliott is making progress from the broken wrist that held him back last season.

"I got my cast off Monday, now it's a six-week process to get the mobility back, and after six weeks I'll be full-go," Elliott said Thursday, speaking for the first time this spring after the Buckeyes' seventh practice of spring drills.

The left wrist Elliott broke in fall camp last August required two surgeries -- one in August and one after the season -- and kept Elliott from reaching his full potential. Elliott said after beating Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship that he "left a lot of yards on the field last year."

Still he finished 1,878 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and a pair of MVPs in the Sugar Bowl and the National Championship.

"That's pretty impressive isn't it? Just like me only different," new Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford joked on Thursday.

Alford can laugh because he knows he inherited a running back considered the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy next season. That's crazy to think about when you consider how limited Elliott has been this spring.

"Right now I'm not really practicing with the team, I'm just getting my speed work in on the side and getting my mental reps when I can during team workouts," Elliott said.

Elliott said his wrist is still pretty fragile, and he'll need the full six weeks to get the strength back before he can carry the ball in his left hand or throw a stiff arm.

"The body only has so many shots in it, so it does help his body to continue recovering," Alford said. "He's gonna have to have a big summer and continue to get better, but the one thing you love about Zeke is he's hungry. It's killing him not to play now."