FSU Football Practice Report: ’Noles open practice for first time since Monday’s meltdown

This morning, the media was able to catch the slightest glimpse of how the Florida State Seminoles were faring in practice for the first time since their devastating 24-3 Labor Day loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies. Wednesday’s practice is the only day this week where a viewing portion will be made available and less than two periods were observed. The next time we’ll see the team in action is against the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday back in Doak Campbell Stadium. The media was also able to speak with HC Willie Taggart, OC Walt Bell, and DC Harlon Barnett before the viewing portion of practice commenced. Deondre Francois, Jacques Patrick, and Cam Akers were all made available, as well.

Offense

OG Cole Minshew is expected to play this Saturday after missing Monday’s game due to a concussion. News of his head injury is not exactly encouraging due to his concussion-riddled past, but he was a full-participant today and split first-team reps with Mike Arnold.

Derrick Kelly appeared to be moved from left guard to left tackle for today’s practice, with Arthur WIlliams sliding in at left guard.

Derrick Kelly and LT Jauan Williams missed portions of Monday’s game, but were seen in full pads and participating in position drills today.

The Seminoles will most likely continue to mix and match on the O-line this week after injuries and inexperience marred Monday night’s debacle.

Khalan Laborn is expected to get the ball much more after going silent following his huge catch and run Monday night. OC Walt Bell said: “Oh yeah. We definitely want [Laborn] to get much more involved. I think that’s pretty obvious to everybody that he’s a really good football player with the ball in his hands and we got to continue to do that moving forward.”

TE Naseir Upshur was in full pads and participating in practice after not dressing out Monday.

Injured/Absent/Reserved

RT Landon Dickerson suffered an ankle sprain Monday night, and his status is unknown. Coach Taggart didn’t sound too optimistic when asked about his injury, and said: “big guys with sprained ankles is never a good thing.” Dickerson wasn’t observed during practice.

Defense

Florida State failed to recover any of Virginia Tech’s four fumbles, and the limited viewing highlighted the defense getting after loose balls.

NG Marvin Wilson is expected to play more come Saturday. Before practice, DC Harlon Barnett addressed Wilson’s in-game contributions and said: “Big Marv, man, he really dedicated himself to getting in his rehab and getting himself back. He ran around well. I saw him one time chasing a ball. Coach Odell said, ‘I should have played him more.’ But I think he was a little concerned, first time back, he didn’t want to give him too much. He looked good. No setbacks, anything like that. Look forward to him playing more snaps this week.”

Jaiden Woodbey left the end of Monday’s game when his shoulder popped out of socket. He’s expected to return Saturday, but was wearing a non-contact jersey during practice.

DB Stanford Samuels III still isn’t 100 percent and will continue to split reps with Hamsah Nasirildeen. Samuels looked better, and it’s encouraging he wasn’t sporting a non-contact jersey.

Injured/Absent/Reserved

Zaquandre White didn’t dress Monday, but was seen in full pads today.

LB Amari Gainer returned to practice in a non-contact jersey. He’s been out with a foot injury.

LB DeCalon Brooks missed Monday’s game due to a concussion, but is expected to play Saturday. However, he was not observed today.