UM healthier ahead of opener

Richt upbeat about readiness for LSU game

CORAL GABLES — As the eighth-ranked Miami Hurricanes continue preparing for their Sunday night season opener against No. 25 LSU, several top playmakers who missed time during camp appeared to be back at work on Tuesday.

Cornerback Trajan Bandy, defensive end Joe Jackson and receiver Jeff Thomas — all of whom have dealt with various injuries over the last couple of weeks — were going through drills during the 15-minute media viewing portion of practice.

Jackson, Miami’s top returning lineman, was still seen sporting a brace on his left arm. Hurricanes defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has said the brace was a precautionary measure and later Tuesday, Hurricanes coach Mark Richt indicated the lineman may not need to wear the brace Sunday against the Tigers.

Last season, Jackson was Miami’s top defensive lineman with 59 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, while Bandy had 25 tackles and an interception and Thomas had a teamhigh 22.0 yards-per-reception average.

After Tuesday’s practice, Richt indicated he felt the team was healthier than it had been in a while.

“Overall, good,” Richt responded, when asked about the Hurricanes’ health. “Obviously, we had George Brown get hurt, and there are a few guys we know are out. Michael Irvin II is out, [De’Andre] Wilder may be out for now. There’s a few guys like that, but the guys that have been banged up here and there and missed a little bit, we feel like they’ll all be back and ready for the game.”

Perry gains edge?

A day after Richt said the race for Miami’s No. 2 quarterback job had narrowed to redshirt freshmen N’Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon, it was Perry

taking the bulk of the No. 2 snaps with the offense — at least during the media viewing portion of Tuesday’s practice.

Through five series of reps in one particular drill, the quarterback rotation was Malik Rosier, Perry, Weldon, and freshman

Jarren Williams.

Walk-on quarterback

Ryan Rizk of American Heritage-Delray was sporting a No. 9 jersey and seems to be filling the scout team role of LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who was named the starter on Monday.

After practice, Richt played it close to the vest when asked whether Perry or Weldon would be the one to get the call if needed.

“I promise you it will be one of those two [Weldon or Perry]. … One of those two will be second team,” he responded.

Observations

The Hurricanes released their pre-game depth chart Tuesday, and while most of the starters have retained their jobs, there were some interesting developments in some of the reserve roles.

At the X-receiver position, Darrell Langham is listed behind starter Ahmmon Richards, at the ZReceiver, freshman Brian

Hightower is slated to play behind starter Lawrence

Cager, and at the slot receiver position, Jeff

Thomas edged Mike Harley for the starting job. Several freshmen are listed on the depth chart, including Brevin Jordan, who is listed as the No. 1 tight end, DJ Scaife, who is listed as the No. 2 left tackle behind Tyree St. Louis, Cleveland Reed, who is listed as the No. 2 right guard behind Hayden Mahoney and John Campbell Jr., who is listed as the No. 2 right tackle behind

Navaughn Donaldson.

On the defense, Nesta

Silvera is listed as a No. 3 defensive tackle behind

Gerald Willis and Tito Odenigbo, and cornerback DJ Ivey is listed as a reserve behind Trajan

Bandy.

Bubba Baxa is listed as the starting kicker.