Rocky Savaiigaea took another step in his comeback from an injury yesterday.

The Hawaii defensive tackle participated in team drills for the first time this spring yesterday morning, testing the arm that kept him out of action most of last season.

“;It felt good to get out there and run,”; Savaiigaea said. “;I haven't run after a quarterback in a while.”;

Savaiigaea suffered a tear in his triceps during fall camp last year and aggravated the injury when he returned against San Jose State.

He had taken part primarily in noncontact drills this spring with his left arm heavily taped. Even though he got a taste of contact yesterday, he's still taking a cautious approach to his comeback.

He's sitting out the inside running periods when the tackles often have to take on double teams.

“;Coach (Greg McMackin) said there's no reason to get hurt and start from scratch again,”; Savaiigaea said. “;Just do what you can and come fall that's when you want to be 100 percent.”;

Taking a turn

The competition in the defensive backfield appears to be tightening. The safety combination of Lametrius Davis and Kenny Estes got a look with the first unit in the team period yesterday. Spencer Smith and Mana Silva remained first in the rotation in other drills.

“;We haven't finished our evaluation by any stretch,”; associate coach Rich Miano said, “;but (Davis and Estes) definitely deserve to be with the first team because they're getting better and better.”;

Junior college transfer Aaron Brown will join the competition in fall camp.