Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times
Two defensive tackles may miss opener
Alabama A&M could be without two of its top defensive tackles when it visits Tennessee State in the season opener for both teams on Sept. 1.
Junior David Winston, who was slated to start at left tackle, hurt his back in the weight room late last week, while backup right tackle Justin Harper likely will undergo surgery on his right thumb Thursday.
Winston is experiencing back spasms and probably won't return to practice until later this week or early next week. Harper could be out up to a month. Athletic trainer John Gaines said Harper may be back for the Grambling game on Sept. 22.
Whitney Garrett will start at right tackle, and Renaldo Askew will move up and start at left tackle in place of Winston. Sophomore Marcus Powe is behind Garrett at left tackle, and true freshman Frank Kearse will back up Askew.
Neither Garrett, Askew nor Powe played much last season.
Garrett, a 6-foot-3, 284-pound junior, played in nine games last season and was credited with six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Askew, a 6-1, 265-pound sophomore, played in five games and finished with six tackles.
"We've got to play with the hand we've been dealt," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "We've got to coach the guys we have and get them ready to play and hopefully we can get David and Justin back in the next few weeks."
Several injured players return: Tight end Charles Moody, wide receiver Thomas Harris, defensive end Dominic Cummings and defensive back Stephan Tucker were back at practice Tuesday.
Moody has been bothered by a strained groin. Harris had a dislocated thumb. Cummings had a leg injury, and Tucker reaggravated an ankle injury.
All four players are listed on A&M's two-deep depth chart as starters, but a decision on their status for the opener won't be made until late this week or early next week, Jones said.
Afternoon not a delight: After taking Monday off, A&M practiced Tuesday afternoon for first time since school started and Jones admitted it was tough.
Players were late for practice coming from class or left practice early to go to class, Jones said.
"We lose numbers," he said. "They've got to go to class. Education comes first. We struggle, but we try to do the best we can to get them ready."
The Bulldogs had practiced at night during the heat wave, but went earlier Tuesday and the weather was a factor.
"The heat got turned up a little bit," Jones said. "Then, we lost numbers. That's a double whammy. But, I thought it went well. We installed a lot of stuff today."
Two defensive tackles may miss opener
Alabama A&M could be without two of its top defensive tackles when it visits Tennessee State in the season opener for both teams on Sept. 1.
Junior David Winston, who was slated to start at left tackle, hurt his back in the weight room late last week, while backup right tackle Justin Harper likely will undergo surgery on his right thumb Thursday.
Winston is experiencing back spasms and probably won't return to practice until later this week or early next week. Harper could be out up to a month. Athletic trainer John Gaines said Harper may be back for the Grambling game on Sept. 22.
Whitney Garrett will start at right tackle, and Renaldo Askew will move up and start at left tackle in place of Winston. Sophomore Marcus Powe is behind Garrett at left tackle, and true freshman Frank Kearse will back up Askew.
Neither Garrett, Askew nor Powe played much last season.
Garrett, a 6-foot-3, 284-pound junior, played in nine games last season and was credited with six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Askew, a 6-1, 265-pound sophomore, played in five games and finished with six tackles.
"We've got to play with the hand we've been dealt," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "We've got to coach the guys we have and get them ready to play and hopefully we can get David and Justin back in the next few weeks."
Several injured players return: Tight end Charles Moody, wide receiver Thomas Harris, defensive end Dominic Cummings and defensive back Stephan Tucker were back at practice Tuesday.
Moody has been bothered by a strained groin. Harris had a dislocated thumb. Cummings had a leg injury, and Tucker reaggravated an ankle injury.
All four players are listed on A&M's two-deep depth chart as starters, but a decision on their status for the opener won't be made until late this week or early next week, Jones said.
Afternoon not a delight: After taking Monday off, A&M practiced Tuesday afternoon for first time since school started and Jones admitted it was tough.
Players were late for practice coming from class or left practice early to go to class, Jones said.
"We lose numbers," he said. "They've got to go to class. Education comes first. We struggle, but we try to do the best we can to get them ready."
The Bulldogs had practiced at night during the heat wave, but went earlier Tuesday and the weather was a factor.
"The heat got turned up a little bit," Jones said. "Then, we lost numbers. That's a double whammy. But, I thought it went well. We installed a lot of stuff today."
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