FSU practice report: Mavin Saunders returns

The Florida State football team returned to practice on Tuesday for the final regular-season practice that will be open to the media this season. The Seminoles practiced with the added challenge of artificial sound pumped in to accurately simulate the environment they will encounter in Gainesville on Saturday.

Injured/Absent:

Ro'Derrick Hoskins was in attendance at practice but not participating and was wearing a hefty left knee brace. Mario Pender was not seen. Chris Casher, who was not dressed for the game against Chattanooga but did practice Monday, was not participating on Tuesday.

Offense:

Mavin Saunders was a full participant in practice after missing last Saturday's game as well as Monday's practice. George Campbell continues to practice all out while sporting a right knee brace.

Backfield members Freddie Stevenson and Jonathan Vickers were seen in non-contact jerseys for the second straight day. Stevenson did work as the first-team fullback in drills while Vickers worked as the third running back behind Dalvin Cook and Jacques Patrick, who were both full participants.

Sean Maguire continues his reps as the first-team quarterback but his back issues seemed to continue in Tuesday's practice as, for the second straight day, he occasionally bent over and stretched his back out after making a series of throws. The order behind Maguire in the rotation was Everett Golson, JJ Cosentino, and Deondre Francois.

The starting offensive line in Tuesday's practice remained the same that we saw against Chattanooga with Roderick Johnson, Kareem Are, Alec Eberle, Wilson Bell, and Chad Mavety from left to right. Corey Martinez split time with Ryan Hoefeld as the second-team center but otherwise, the second team remains the same.

Defense

Reggie Northrup practiced once again but was wearing a non-contact jersey. Demarcus Christmas, who missed some practice time last week, was a full participant.

Special Teams

The special teams unit spent a bit of time working on a kickoff that was fielded by an upback at Tuesday's practice, with Jeremy Kerr handling the fielding duties. Jalen Ramsey and Kermit Whitfield remain the starting kick returners while Tarvarus McFadden and Travis Rudolph continued to work as the second-team return men.

Up Next:

Jimbo Fisher and some unannounced players will address the media after practice. However, as noted above, this is the final practice report of the week as the normally-open Thursday practice will be closed on account of Thanksgiving.