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Asmussen | Illini play it safe with Hansen

He'd like to be doing more: knocking people down, chasing quarterbacks, batting passes.

Usual linebacker stuff.

In time.

For now, Jake Hansen needs to be satisfied with mostly mental work this spring with the Illinois football team.

The team's leading returning tackler is recovering from shoulder surgery. He is working every day, but contact is a no-no during spring ball.

"It's pretty frustrating," Hansen said.

His work is more individual. If left to him, Hansen would be practicing without limitations.

"I think it's fine now, but you know how that goes," Hansen said.