Alabama A & M notebook

Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times

Nagging injuries take toll on Bulldogs

After more than a week of practice the injury bug has taken a toll on Alabama A&M's football team.

As many as nine players have struggled with strains and pulls over the last couple of days.

The list includes inside linebacker Avery Moland (hamstring), outside linebackers Bobby McClain (hamstring) and Darian Payne (groin) and defensive backs Jonathan McConico (hamstring), Maurice Thomas (ankle) and Kentavious Huguley (groin).

Offensive linemen Russell Jackson (neck) and Antonio Regist (foot) were held out of practice Thursday night, and offensive lineman Leon Thompson left practice after becoming dehydrated. Regist, who missed all of last season with an ankle injury, is out indefinitely.

"Guys are going to get banged up when you start being physical, combined with the heat and the frequency of practices," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "Hopefully, if we can get through this weekend, the temperatures will drop a little bit and we can back off them some."

Turner can go full speed: Left tackle Darius Turner, a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason pick, was cleared to practice Thursday without any restrictions, athletic trainer John Gaines said.

Turner underwent a strength test Thursday on his left knee and was given the go-ahead to resume practice full speed.

"We wanted to make sure he was at full strength before we brought him back," Gaines said. "Now, we can get him ready."

Jones likes competition: Jones has been pleased with a number of things during training camp, but the biggest has been his team's ability to compete on both sides of the ball. In years past, the defense has seemingly held the upper hand in preseason camp, but not this year.

"The thing that I like is we're competing," Jones said. "The offense is competing with the defense and the defense is competing right back. One minute, the offense will get the best of the defense and the next minute the defense will get the upper hand.

"We're competing. It's not a defensive slaughter out here and that's a good thing. That's showing me we're trying to create some balance."

Furthermore: Running back Ulysses Banks didn't practice Thursday night after going home to see his sick grandmother. ... A&M will hold a full-scale scrimmage Saturday at 11:15 a.m.