Denver could get a big lift Saturday in its NCAA tournament quarterfinal against Johns Hopkins due to the apparent return of senior attackman Todd Baxter.

Baxter, who has been an everyday starter alongside juniors Mark Matthews and Alex Demopoulos, did not play in the sixth-seeded Pioneers’ 13-10 victory over Villanova in the first round on Sunday because of a high right ankle sprain and a partially torn ligament in the right knee.

Baxter, who ranks third on the team in goals (28), assists (18) and points (46), is participating in pre-game warm-ups. Although he is wearing a black, protective sleeve on the knee, Baxter appears to be running and moving without little hesitation.

Also, there was a rumor on the Internet that Blue Jays sophomore midfielder John Greeley was walking around campus this week with a walking boot. But he is also taking part in pre-game warm-ups with no troubles, and he is expected to start for No. 3 seed Johns Hopkins.