Safety Tracy Wilson, described by coach Jerry Kill as the team's "best defensive player," will return to the field today for the Northern Illinois University football team.

The Huskies (6-2, 4-0) play a Mid-American Conference game at Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.

Wilson suffered a pulled groin muscle late in the first half of the third game of the season at Illinois and has been sidelined since. He participated in practice last week on a limited basis but did not play in the home win over Central Michigan.

"It's a gradual process," said Kill. "I don't want him coming back until he's ready to go full speed."

The leading tackler on the team a year ago, Wilson is a redshirt junior from Harvey who prepped at St. Francis DeSales.

Despite missing five-plus games, Wilson still ranks sixth on the team's tackles list with 26.

Junior defensive tackle Ron Newcomb, who has missed much of the season with a foot injury, is also expected back.

True freshman linebacker Cameron Stingily (Romeoville), who has seen action in four games, is out of the remainder of the season with a torn achilles tendon. Redshirt freshman reserve offensive lineman is also out, following knee surgery.