EAST LANSING — The injury that has limited Michigan State cornerback All-American candidate Darqueze Dennard this spring is a sports hernia, according to a source in the Spartans' athletic program.

Dennard has been held out of contact drills while recovering from his ailment, though Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio has said there's a chance the gifted defensive back could see contact by the end of spring drills, which conclude on April 20 with the Green-White Spring Game at Spartan Stadium at 2:30 p.m.

Dennard, who one NFL scout recently told MLive has the talent to be first-round NFL Draft pick, is among the three fastest players on the Michigan State team (Jeremy Langford, Bennie Fowler).

In Dennard's absence, redshirt freshman Trae Waynes has stepped up this spring and is projected to start opposite him this coming season.

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