Alcorn State, MS -- Alcorn State defensive lineman Mark Butler announced his plans to return to the football field on Wednesday following a horrific injury during Hurricane Katrina.

Butler suffered head and neck injuries late last month when he was struck by a falling tree when Hurricane Katrina hit the Lorman campus at Alcorn. He underwent surgery for the injuries and has been recovering at the home of his parents.

"The doctor keeps telling that I'm healing real good and real fast," Butler said. "When I was in the hospital, I just got up and started walking around a little."

Butler was expected to start at defensive end before his injury.

Alcorn is 1-2 this season and hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff this Saturday.