Troy begins spring football practice on Tuesday without arguably its best overall player, but Chris Lewis is never far from the minds of those who will be on the field during the next month.

Lewis is currently undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of bone cancer in his left leg, with which he was diagnosed at the end of the 2023 regular season. The Kentucky transfer had a breakout season at wide receiver for the Trojans last year, but football is currently on hold while he deals with such a serious health situation.

First-year Troy coach Gerad Parker said Monday he’s spoken with Lewis several times since his diagnosis, which he first publicly revealed last week. Parker, the former Notre Dame offensive coordinator hired in December to replace Jon Sumrall, said he’s been impressed with Lewis’ positive attitude.

“It speaks volumes about who he is as a human being first, and then that he’s a fighter,” Parker said. “… He loves the game that has done so much for him. And he has aspirations of fighting this thing, getting back on the field with us and playing. All we can do right now is do our part to support him, and I think Trojan Nation has done that.

“… This is all about his fight, not ours. He has been so brave, so courageous and has had a positive outlook every time I’ve texted or called or went to go see him. He’s in the right frame of mind to defeat this thing.”

Lewis, from Pleasant Grove, has been undergoing a 10-week course of chemotherapy for osteosarcoma at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. He’s scheduled for surgery on April 3 in hopes of removing the tumor that was discovered in his left femur (upper leg bone).

Lewis told ESPN in a story published last week that he was optimistic he could return to the football field, whether this season or in the future. He caught 32 passes for 735 yards for the Sun Belt Conference champions in 2023, leading the league with 10 touchdown receptions and finishing among the national leaders in yards per catch (22.9).

“There is going to be a lot coming at him over the next 7 to 10 days, some scans and stuff and then a surgery date to follow,” Parker said. “Those are two big things that are coming at us that we are ready to support him on. We’ll see how those two things go and then we’ll know more when that happens.”

Lewis has set up a GoFundMe account to help offset medical expenses. He’s hoping to raise $150,000.

Troy holds the first of 15 spring football practices on Tuesday morning. The annual T-Day spring game is set for April 27 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.