Hawaii injuries piling up

The UH defense is reaching pretty far down the depth chart -- but Jones says all could play

Death by paper cut, or nothing to worry about?

Two more Hawaii football defenders -- inside linebacker Blaze Soares and free safety Spencer Smith -- joined the injured list during yesterday's practice, leaving Timo Paepule and Dane Porlas the highest-ranking healthy players at their positions.

It was a good thing kicker Dan Kelly drilled a 46-yard field goal to end the final practice of fall camp (the players moved out of the dance-studio barracks and into their dorms and off-campus residences yesterday). It earned the Warriors a pool party and some much needed hydro-therapy.

Also, strong safety Brad Kalilimoku, No. 1 on the depth chart at the start of fall camp, was sidelined again with a recurring hamstring strain.

Soares (hamstring) and Smith (ankle) joined the first-team players at their spots -- inside linebacker Adam Leonard (quad) and safety Leonard Peters (ankle) -- on the side, severely affecting the available talent and depth at both positions.

Peters' injury was from before training camp started Aug. 4, defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said. The official training staff report is Peters can practice "as available."

Injuries have also taken significant practice time from four other players on the two-deep chart headed into camp: No. 1 cornerback A.J. Martinez, No. 2 outside linebacker Brashton Satele, and No. 2 defensive linemen Fale Laeli and Lawrence Wilson.

Martinez, slowed by recurring groin and hip injuries, is back. But he lost ground to experienced senior Kenny Patton.

"The good news is 13 (Satele) came back today," Glanville said.

All of the injuries are day-to-day, and head coach June Jones has said just about everyone could play in a game if they had to.

"(Injuries) are always a concern, but they should be OK (by the Sept. 2 opener at Alabama)," Jones said.

But Glanville was disappointed because he'd planned to work especially with Soares and Smith yesterday. Every missed practice is a missed opportunity for the freshmen to learn by doing. And even if Peters and Leonard are ready to play at their best two weeks from tomorrow in Tuscaloosa, their backups are being counted on, Glanville said.

"Everybody on Team 2 has to play," he said. "We can't play Alabama without a lot of players."

Glanville also said he thinks some players are not drinking enough water to stay healthy during the hot practices.

"The bottom line is they've got to keep themselves hydrated," Glanville said.

The depth on the defensive line is worrisome to him, too.

"We wish 96 (Laeli) and 99 (Wilson) were in there more," Glanville said. "They missed way too much work."

On offense, No. 1 running back Nate Ilaoa returned to action. He'd been sidelined several practices with a sore foot. Z receiver Ian Sample, competing with incumbent starter Ross Dickerson, was on light duty a second straight day with a tender groin.