Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson

Ball State coach Brady Hoke said former wide receiver Dante Love could be released from the rehabilitation center in Indianapolis on Friday.

Love suffered a cervical spine fracture and a spinal cord injury during the first quarter against Indiana on Sept. 20 and needed five-hour surgery to stabilize the injury. A full recovery is anticipated, though it's unlikely that he'll ever play football again.

"He's getting close and hopefully Friday he may get out of the rehabilitation center," Hoke said. "He's making great strides and everything's going real positive. I know he's getting after it three times a day down there and really making great progress."

When Love is released from his rehab center, he will return to Muncie, Ind., to continue his rehab in the athletic facilities at Ball State. Hoke said he won't be with the team this weekend, but having him at a home game down the road would not be out of the realm of possibility.

Hoke said he'll visit Love on Tuesday morning and running back MiQuale Lewis said he and several other players would make the trip down to Indianapolis in the afternoon.

Although Love has not be on the football field with the Cardinals, his presence is felt all the time. Hoke said that Love calls players regularly to provide encouragement and even a little criticism from what he's seen on television.

Hoke said during the Kent State game, the week after Love was injured, Love was calling Hoke's cell phone telling him to have Lewis tuck his jersey in because he looked unfocused.

"He's the biggest critic of anybody about what were doing," Hoke said of Love. "You've got a guy who's a competitor like that and a guy who really loves his teammates and that affection is returned."

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