Only Tony Yelk knows when he’ll return to the Cyclones.

In his weekly press conference Tuesday, ISU head coach Dan McCarney said the only thing preventing Yelk’s return is the senior kicker himself.

“I’m not making any decisions,” McCarney said. “There are no trainers or doctors. It’s him all the way. He’s either ready or not.”

Yelk has been given a green light from trainers to return to kicking, but tightness in his leg has kept him from playing in any of Iowa State’s games this season.

“I trust his evaluation of him being ready to go or not,” McCarney said. “When you’re kicking the ball for PAT [point after touchdown], field goals, kickoffs or punting, it’s an explosive movement with your leg.

“To be able to do that, you have to have your strength back.”

McCarney said Yelk has done some kicking in practice, but he hasn’t been able to take it onto the field on game day.

“He’s done some punting this week and we’re going to bring him along and see how he feels,” McCarney said. “Hopefully he can put this thing behind him.”

Yelk was not available for comment.

ISU officials said Yelk will not comment until after he plays.

Last season, Yelk led the Cyclones with a 41.4-yard punting average. His career 42.3-yard average is second on Iowa State’s all-time list.

Yelk was also used at times last year as a field goal kicker, hitting two of his four attempts, with a long make of 51 yards.

Yelk’s replacement at punter, Troy Blankenship, is sixth in the Big 12 in punting, averaging 40 yards per kick.

Freshman field goal kicker Brian Jansen is 2-of-6 on the season and has missed two extra points in three games.

Six kickers in the Big 12 are perfect on the season, led by Kansas State’s Joe Rheem, who made all six of his three-point attempts.

With his senior season already in progress, Yelk is running out of time to contribute to the Cyclones.

“There isn’t going to be a sixth year,” McCarney said. “He’s already redshirted. I’ve never heard of someone getting a sixth year for a pulled muscle.

“He’s got to play. The clock’s running on him, and he either has to try and be ready and help us or not.”