News updates from Thursday's practice:
Coach Clay Helton offered a clarification (and an apology) on the QB situation. He said he didn't mean to suggest Tuesday that he would announce a starting QB after the spring game. He said that could still happen but he's not committed to doing so.
"I want to get through this spring game and I want to see where our quarterbacks are and see how they function, in that spring game with that TV, with the crowd that's all around," Helton said. "And if I see that, I come out of there and there's a huge separation, yeah, I will name a quarterback. But if I don't think that there's a great separation, it will go to (fall) camp. For me the decision Saturday is, do I name a quarterback or do I push it to the fall?"
He also noted that several competitions still need to play out and he won't be issuing a depth chart. He pointed to having two new coordinators, the absence of several key players (Adoree' Jackson, Cam Smith, Chris Hawkins, Toa Lobendahn, Khaliel Rodgers) and the arrival of more than a dozen players.
Helton offered some details on the spring game format:
Because of the limited numbers on the defensive line, the offense will not be asked to drive down the field but instead have to simply get first downs or score from the red zone. Helton wants to avoid 10-play drives to protect against injuries.
The plan is for DT Noah Jefferson to participate in 25-50 percent of the scrimmage.
Jonathan Lockett (concussion) is likely out, although he could be cleared Friday.
John Plattenburg (ankle) will not participate. Helton said he is still a few weeks from being able to play. He's had an MRI, met with a specialist and had PRP injections and the ankle still needs more time to heal.
LBs John Houston and Osa Masina will partake in 50-75 percent of the scrimmage.
OL Clayton Johnston (concussion) was a limited participant today and will have a similar involvement Saturday.
2017 TE Jimmy Jaggers (Roseville, Calif.) took an unofficial visit today and attended practice.
Lynn Swann arrived near the end of practice and briefly addressed the team.
More details coming in Footnotes.
Coach Clay Helton offered a clarification (and an apology) on the QB situation. He said he didn't mean to suggest Tuesday that he would announce a starting QB after the spring game. He said that could still happen but he's not committed to doing so.
"I want to get through this spring game and I want to see where our quarterbacks are and see how they function, in that spring game with that TV, with the crowd that's all around," Helton said. "And if I see that, I come out of there and there's a huge separation, yeah, I will name a quarterback. But if I don't think that there's a great separation, it will go to (fall) camp. For me the decision Saturday is, do I name a quarterback or do I push it to the fall?"
He also noted that several competitions still need to play out and he won't be issuing a depth chart. He pointed to having two new coordinators, the absence of several key players (Adoree' Jackson, Cam Smith, Chris Hawkins, Toa Lobendahn, Khaliel Rodgers) and the arrival of more than a dozen players.
Helton offered some details on the spring game format:
Because of the limited numbers on the defensive line, the offense will not be asked to drive down the field but instead have to simply get first downs or score from the red zone. Helton wants to avoid 10-play drives to protect against injuries.
The plan is for DT Noah Jefferson to participate in 25-50 percent of the scrimmage.
Jonathan Lockett (concussion) is likely out, although he could be cleared Friday.
John Plattenburg (ankle) will not participate. Helton said he is still a few weeks from being able to play. He's had an MRI, met with a specialist and had PRP injections and the ankle still needs more time to heal.
LBs John Houston and Osa Masina will partake in 50-75 percent of the scrimmage.
OL Clayton Johnston (concussion) was a limited participant today and will have a similar involvement Saturday.
2017 TE Jimmy Jaggers (Roseville, Calif.) took an unofficial visit today and attended practice.
Lynn Swann arrived near the end of practice and briefly addressed the team.
More details coming in Footnotes.
