D.J. Coles returns for Hokies, while Logan Thomas deals with tired arm

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas sat out about half of Saturday’s football scrimmage with a tired throwing arm, but one of his top receiving targets put in his first full day of work in months.

Senior wide receiver D.J. Coles, who missed spring practice and spent most of this preseason in a blue, limited-contact jersey after offseason surgery on his right knee, caught a pair of passes.

Coles, the former Goochland High School standout, had a 3-yard reception against the first-team defense and a 26-yard catch on a deep crossing route against the scout team defense.

“It feels good to get the green light,” Coles said. “To get back out there and get some reps, just go full-contact. Not being limited and excused from certain things. It’s basically full go.”

As for Thomas, Tech coach Frank Beamer said he’s not concerned about his junior quarterback’s health, and offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said Thomas was just experiencing arm fatigue after throwing a high number of passes the past few practices. Thomas went 5-for-16 for 80 yards Saturday, including a 50-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Corey Fuller in the first part of the scrimmage, working against the first-team defense.

In the second portion, playing against the scout team running Georgia Tech’s schemes, Thomas threw one incompletion before sitting down.

“Just a little tired today,” Stinespring said. “I think the ball sailed on him four or five times today. Probably he was disappointed by that. But you know why. … Instead of getting out there and him having to fight through a tired, arm, we just sat him for a little bit.”

Tech spent the first half of the scrimmage pitting the first-team offense against the first-team defense and the second teams against each other. The first-team defense combined with the second-team offense to beat the first offense/second defense 10-0.

The second part of the scrimmage had the Hokies working against the scout team, which ran Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense and 3-4 defense.

Virginia Tech opens at home against the Yellow Jackets on Sept. 3.

Beamer also recapped how the Hokies will use some of their true freshmen this year. Touted tailback Trey Edmunds will dress but Beamer won’t play him unless it becomes necessary.

“We’re just going to see where this thing goes for a few weeks,” Beamer said. “We’re not planning to play him early, then keep bringing him along.”

But other true freshmen, including L.C. Bird linebacker Deon Clarke, tailback J.C. Coleman and wide receiver Joshua Stanford, will play in the Hokies’ opener against Georgia Tech on Labor Day.

It’s unclear whether or how much Coles will play in that game, but he took a step closer to getting on the field with his performance Saturday.

“He’s a tough guy,” Stinespring said. “So if there’s a will and way for him to get out there versus Georgia Tech, I think he has and will continue to do everything possible to do so.”

Beamer said having Coles back would give the Hokies a boost starting off a season in which they’re the favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division, which also includes Georgia Tech.

“It’d be big,” Beamer said. “D.J. really started coming along. He affected the game there at the end of the year. To get him back, I think he’s a guy that can make a difference in our football team.”

Beamer and Coles both said the biggest test may be how his knee feels Sunday, the day after testing it in the scrimmage.

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