A few insights from Maryland’s last open practice of the preseason (which included visitors brought in through the Casey Cares Foundation, which provides programs to support critically ill children) …
OK, so who’s going to be Maryland’s running back.
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That’s still to be determined, though it seems unlikely Maryland will utilize more than three guys.
But which three among Brandon Ross, Justus Pickett, Wes Brown and Albert Reid?
“We have some guys there that are nicked up a little bit that have to get back out on the practice field if they’re going to be able to play against William & Mary,” coach Randy Edsall said.
That might be a bit of a nudge for Ross, it turns out.
“He hasn’t been out the last few days in terms of with that hamstring,” Edsall said. “We’ll just have to see where he’s at. Between Brandon and Justus and Wes and Albert, those are the guys.”
Well, two or three of them are, anyway.
* The topic of the secondary was broached with Edsall, where a projected starter, his projected replacement and the top reserve corner all appear to be out for at least the Sept. 1 William & Mary game.
The Terps have eight remaining healthy scholarship defensive backs, five of whom are freshmen.
“I’m not concerned because those are the guys we’ve determined that have to play,” Edsall said. “We have to get them ready. They have to get themselves ready. We’ll show them how to do it and we’ll tell them what they have to do, but they have to go out and do it. Yeah, the numbers there are a little bit thin. Zach Dancel is a transfer who has to sit out. From a numbers standpoint, the numbers are a little bit thin. … The good thing is we’re going to get those guys back.”
* Number of the day: 35, which is the number of scholarship players who have both appeared in a Division I game and will be available for the Terrapins’ season opener.
Maryland has 45 scholarship seniors, juniors and sophomores, plus Tyrek Cheeseboro (a freshman who played and later received a medical hardship last season).
So that’s 46 players. Take away the three New Mexico transfers, and the group is down to 43. Meanwhile, it appears safeties Matt Robinson (shoulder) and A.J. Hendy (ankle), cornerback Isaac Goins (mono), linebacker Kenny Tate (knee), defensive linemen Keith Bowers and Andre Monroe, quarterback C.J. Brown (knee) and offensive lineman Josh Cary (knee) will all miss at least the season opener based on injury timetables Edsall has provided throughout camp.
That’s eight guys, which brings the total down to 35.
* Look for an updated depth chart Monday.
* Monroe underwent season-ending surgery Thursday. Brown was to undergo surgery Friday morning.
—- Patrick Stevens
