Michigan's Robinson starting at RB against Iowa

Denard Robinson had missed three straight games due to an elbow injury.

LON HORWEDEL/Icon SMI

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan put Denard Robinson back in the starting lineup - at running back.

The senior lined up behind quarterback Devin Gardner in his final home game and gained 3 yards on a toss sweep the first time the 23rd-ranked Wolverines were on offense Saturday against Iowa.

Gardner made his third straight start at quarterback in place of Robinson, who has been out with nerve damage in his right elbow.

Robinson caught a pass on Michigan's second snap for a gain of 4 yards.

Robinson later took a shotgun snap and handed the ball off as a quarterback. Then, he got a handoff from Gardner and made an option pitch to Fitzgerald Toussaint for a first down.

Toussaint was injured on the play and was carted off the field with a brace on his left leg, which appeared to be broken between his ankle and knee as he was tackled by two Hawkeyes.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.