FSU football head coach Mike Norvell provides injury update on handful of players | The NoleBook
No. 5 Florida State heads into its matchup against Virginia Tech on Saturday in good shape.
Literally.
Sitting at 4-0 and refreshed off the BYE week, the Seminoles returned to practice Tuesday.
However, just over a month into the season, the Seminoles are a little banged up as a handful of key players have suffered injuries.
FSU head coach Mike Norvell provided an update following Tuesday's practice on starting left tackle Robert Scott, defensive back Akeem Dent, and wide receivers Kentron Poitier and Ja'khi Douglas.
Scott and Dent suffered injuries against Southern Miss. Poitier logged minutes against LSU and Douglas has not played this season.
"Ja'khi [Douglas] was back out there and made a few great plays, which was good to see," Norvell said. "I know Rob Scott, Akeem [Dent] and all those guys were out working today, so we'll see how they respond to it. We want to continue to build for this week ahead."
Scott is one of FSU's bigger injuries on the offensive line as he started at left tackle in 11 games last season. Since his injury, Bless Harris has stepped up into the starting role. With Scott having such a big role on the line, the Seminoles are trying to get him back soon, but don't want to push anything.
"He [Scott] went mostly in the speed stuff against our first D-line," Norvell said. "We just want to see him in that setting and we'll see how he responds tomorrow [Wednesday] to how he's feeling."
"He's played a lot of ball and he understands it. He puts a lot of time into his preparation, even these last two weeks. He's been preparing and getting ready. We need to see him go out there and be able to move, redirect, punch and all the things necessary."
Poiter had a more involved role in Tuesday's practice. He has not seen action the entire season due to an undisclosed injury but had an impressive performance in the Spring Showcase. Norvell said that Poiter is close to being back.
"It was good to kind of get him rolling a little bit," Norvell said. "I think he's close. There are some really good plays but a few you see him continuing to progress. I'm hopeful he comes back tomorrow feeling good and takes another step because he's definitely a good player."
Norvell provided an update on Douglas's progress in Monday's press conference.
Ja'Khi, he practiced last night [Sunday]. I think what that workload is going to look like," Norvell said.
"But we're definitely excited about getting him as he's getting back...Having two guys that were pushing to be starters, and Ja'Khi started a lot of games here, Kentron has made a lot of great plays here.
"We've been down a few guys; now others have stepped up and I think played at a good level there."
Observations from FSU football's Tuesday practice
Scouts: New York Giants and Tennessee Titans
Jordan Travis finds a reaching Johnny Wilson to get into the red zone in period 3 11-on-11.
Ryan Fitzgerald is good from 37 yards out.
Dante Anderson's deflection is caught by Kyle Morlock. Kind of a lucky play but good that Morlock was in the right place
Jordan Travis lands a nice pass to Keon Coleman in the corner. Credit goes more to Coleman as he was able to make a reaching grab and stay in bounds.
Ryan Fitzgerald hits from 46 yards and hits from the 40 yards in the outside session.
Keon Coleman essentially ran right through his defender during outside 1-on-1 drills.
Fentrell Cypress nice PBU in 1-on-1 drills. Gets a high 5 from Norvell.
Kevin Knowles Really good coverage on Destyn Hill for the PBU.
Winston Wright Jr a nice grab over Edwin Joseph and a scout player made a nice grab with heavy pressure from Renardo Green.
AJ Duffy had a really nicely placed pass to scout player No. 8. The ball went just beyond the defender and was perfectly placed.
Nice shutdown by the defense to force Jordan Travis to end the play in 7-on-7.
Jarrian Jones nice swat in Ja’Khi Douglas for the PBU.
Kevin Knowles picks off Tate Rodemaker.
Tate Rodemaker nice connection down the middle to Kentron Poiter.
Kentron Poiter getting a lot of grabs today. Nice to see him getting back into the swing of things.
Tate Rodemaker backs way up before throwing a touchdown pass to Deuce Spann. Really good pass and an even better grab.
Nice picks by Blake Nichelson on the defensive side of the field. Jumped up and got it.
A lot more scout teamwork today in the later 11-on-11 sessions.
GAME INFORMATION
Who: No. 5 FSU (4-0, 2-0 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech (2-3, 1-0)
When/where: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.; Doak Campbell Stadium
TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM
Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @Ehsan_Kassim, @jackgwilliams and @JimHenryTALLY on X, formerly Twitter
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell provides injury update on 4 FSU football players | The NoleBook
