FSU practice report: Starting tight end sits out

On a stiflingly hot Tuesday afternoon, the Florida State football team hit its practice field for a return to practice after its second fall scrimmage on Sunday and a scheduled off day on Monday.

A major change at practice was the sound. Normally, the only noises of note while the team is practicing are sounds players make while doing a drill or coaches instructing/yelling at players who are not meeting the desired level in practice.

Instead at Tuesday’s practice, a loudspeaker was blaring music ranging from Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” to N.W.A’s “Straight Outta Compton” to Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” and even Rascal Flatt’s “Life is a Highway” out onto FSU’s outdoor practice fields.

It was a packed day for NFL representatives as five teams, the Jaguars, Chiefs, Bears, Raiders, and Eagles, had scouts observing for their organizations.

Injured/Absent

Although a few players on both sides of the ball returned on Tuesday, quite a few new names were sitting out.

At the top of that list is junior tight end Ryan Izzo, who was not dressed out and instead was riding a workout bike in the rehabilitation area. Also out of action was true freshman defensive end Josh Kaindoh, who was working through some individual drills off to the side. However, Fisher said he expects both of these two back in practice within the next few days.

On the offensive line, the two new absences were David Robbins and Andrew Boselli.

Along with those new players missing time, many of the same crop who has been out continued to sit. Included on that list are linebackers Matthew Thomas and Dontavious Jackson, frosh tight end Alexander Marshall, who was sporting a new elbow wrap along with the cast on his hand as his finger heals, defensive lineman Adam Torres, offensive lineman Brady Scott, and freshman safety Cyrus Fagan, who seems to be getting healthier as he was working with a graduate assistant on some individual drills.

Offensive lineman Baveon Johnson was not in attendance as he recovers from season-ending surgery to repair his torn meniscus, as Fisher confirmed after Tuesday’s practice.

In more breaking news, sophomore lineman Jauan Williams, who has been out with a shoulder injury, underwent surgery on his shoulder earlier this week, ending his season.

Offense

A number of offensive players who were not practicing last Thursday were back in action Tuesday. Included in that group is senior running back Ryan Green and redshirt sophomore wide receiver George Campbell.

While he was not being used in special team drills, running back Jacques Patrick worked through catching drills along with the wide receivers.

Defense

True freshman safety Hamsah Nasirildeen was a full participant for the second straight open practice Tuesday, breaking free of his lengthy non-contact period he had during the first few weeks of camp.

Sixth-year senior safety Nate Andrews was also back at a practice open to the media for the first time in about two weeks after missing time with an undisclosed ailment.

The defensive ends group was more filled out on Tuesday as well as Jalen Wilkerson, who had missed time, and Josh Sweat, who has had scheduled rest days throughout camp due to his knee, were both participating.

Like Patrick, returning secondary starters Derwin James and Tarvarus McFadden both worked through wide receiver catching drills when they were not being used in special teams practice.

Special Teams

Ricky Aguayo was the sole roster member to attempt field goals, probably a sign both that the first game is approaching and that the staff has been pleased with his progress of late.

On a day where the Seminoles worked on punt return coverage, it provided a glimpse at FSU’s impressive group of punt returners. That group consisted of McFadden, James, and wide receivers Nyqwan Murray, Keith Gavin and D.J. Matthews.