Cancer survivor Arthur Ray isn't on Michigan State roster, but no word on his ...

EAST LANSING — Offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. was not listed on Michigan State’s 105-player roster that began practice Saturday.

Coach Mark Dantonio did not go into detail about what that means.

“Arthur right now isn’t in the 105 and that’s a conversation that’s relatively private to he and I,” Dantonio said. “He will be in school, and he will play football again, so we’ll see.”

There was some question entering fall camp whether Ray would be on the team. But Dantonio said “you never say never” when asked if Ray could get back on the roster.

“That’s a conversation between Arthur and myself,” he said. “At this point in time, you know, this is a decision that both of us have made.”

Ray battled back from bone cancer that prevented him from practicing for four years. He overcame multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and two years on crutches before returning to practice last season.

SLOW RECOVERY: Senior defensive end Corey Freeman also was missing from the roster. Dantonio said Freeman was someone who “hasn’t been able to make the turn” from rehabbing an injury over the summer.

“We’re going to see how he transitions the rest of August before we bring him in,” Dantonio said. “That triggers his scholarship. Is he able to continue to play football or not? We’ll have to do that outside the framework of this. We want him here, though.”

Freeman had knee surgery.

“He’s able to do some things, but not all things,” Dantonio said. “We can’t put him in a contact situation right now.”

MOORE UPDATE: Dantonio said he spoke to Steve Moore this past week. “Tough situation for Steve, but he’s walking,” Dantonio said, adding that Moore may be able to return to visit teammates in another week.

Moore, a junior long snapper, had surgery after suffering a fractured a vertebrae in his neck after landing on a sandbar in Saginaw Bay last month. Moore will miss this season and faces a rehab process that could last six to 12 months.

Contact George Sipple: 313-223-4796 or gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @freepspartans.