Wright, LeBlanc remain day-to-day

BOCA RATON Going up against a Miami offense that averaged 440 yards per game in total offense last season— and looks poised to build upon that— FAUneeds to have a full stable of defensive players for Friday night’s season opener at Sun Life Stadium, but defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis isn’t sure that will be the case.

Outside linebacker Adarius Glanton returned to practice this week, but questions remain if defensive end MartinWright and defensive back Cre’Von LeBlanc will be able to play.

Wright has an undisclosed right knee injury that has kept him out for more than 10 days. LeBlanc has been wearing a green “limited contact” jersey after he sustained a hairline fracture to a rib early in preseason camp.

On the defensive line, freshman end TreyHendrickson would likely take Wright’s snaps, should the redshirt senior not be able to play. Hendrickson, who came to FAU from Apopka High, has skyrocketed up the Owls’ depth chart in preseason camp despite his inexperience. If the Owls are forced to go without LeBlanc, a nickleback that has been called the team’s “x-factor” by coaches, Rekstis said theywon’t change their game plan.

“We have to prepare for that,” Rekstis said. “That happened to us last year, maybe one packagewas dependent on one person, and thenwewere stuck with not being able to execute the game plan sowe had tomake it a point, starting in camp this year, to develop multiple people at those positions, and I thinkwe’ve done that.”

Next game: at Miami, Friday at 8 p.m., ESPNU.