Injured stars Terry, Nasirildeen on mend

Florida State coach Mike N orv ell said receiver Tam orr ion Terry and safety Hamsah Nasirildeen, both of whom have missed time due to injuries this season, participated in practice Wednesday.

The first-year coach, however, wasn’t willing to share how optimistic he was that both players would play thisweekend.

“We’re right there somewhere between one and five in my optimism, and I’ m really excited where that number is in my mind right now ,” N orv ell said .“I’ m not going to put that number out there for you.”

Terry has been out for a few weeks after having knee surgery. He leads the team in catches (21), receiving yards (275) and receiving yards per game (68.8) despite appearing in just four games.

Nasirildeen hasn’t played this season after undergoing surgery in the offseason for a knee injury. The senior was named tot hep re season All-recording a team-high 101 tackles in 2019.

“Injuries take all different forms and I wish it was more cookie-cutter for him because there’ s not one person more frustrated in that building than him with his lack of being able to help the team on the football field,” FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller said. “He’s doing everything he can rightnow to physically get ready.

“Mentally, he’s been there since the day I walked in the door. He still asks key questions in themeetings and he’s the one promoting the questions with some of the younger players that are on the field right now. … Right now it’s day-by-day trying to push himself each day and seeing how that reacts and seeing what the next day has for himself.”

Safety Brendan Gant is another player making hisway back to the field froman injury.

“He’s the guy that I’m pleased with as the season has come along ,” Norvell said. “He had an unfortunate injury there in the summer and he was unable to go through any of our voluntary workout sand whenwe got back in fullswing. He wasn’t available until a fewweeks into fall camp.

“Hewas behind physically and, missing all of that time, his weight took a dip so you had to give him time to get back to that playing condition.”

Gant, who is listed as co-starter at the safety position this week, said he injured his arm andwas forced towear a brace. He appeared in all 13 games last season, earning his first career start against Arizona State in the SunBowl. He finished with 35 tackles and three quarterback hurries.