Two Tech linemen out with injuries

Georgia Tech is relatively healthy for spring practice — except on the offensive line.

Two starters, center Dan Voss and left tackle Nick Claytor, are unable to play, but both say they’ll be ready to return this summer.

Voss underwent surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s doing conditioning work, but only light weightlifting with his left arm.

“When we get back for summer training, I’ll do the full lifting,” the junior said. “It’s frustrating seeing all my teammates and friends out here hitting again and getting back into it. But I’ve got to use this time as an opportunity to get better and to help other people get better.”

Claytor has a bulging disc in his back. The pain got progressively worse at the end of last season. He’s doing rehab and avoiding hitting to relieve the pressure on his lower back.

“They say with time it will heal,” said Claytor, a redshirt freshman. “If I keep doing rehab and keep getting stronger, I’ll be all right when the season comes.

“I’m doing a lot of stomach work, heat and [stimulation], going to see the chiropractor, getting it loosened up and doing different stretches.”

Claytor joked he’s doing so much abdominal work that he might be an offensive lineman “with a six-pack.”

Coach Paul Johnson said the absence of Voss and Claytor “gives those younger guys a great opportunity to try to displace ‘em.”

“I’m not a big guy on losing your job when you’re hurt, but what I’m saying is … when they get back, if they’re rusty and the other guys are better than them, then they shoot right in front of ‘em. You can’t replace the reps. The other guys are getting all the reps.”

Rain forces move to Flowery Branch

With the steady rain, the Jackets practiced Friday afternoon in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts at the Falcons’ indoor facility in Flowery Branch.

“I don’t think we would have gotten anything done outside,” Johnson said. “Even if the rain breaks, the fields are under water.”

Normally, the team would have moved practice to the Georgia Dome, but it is being used in conjunction with Sunday’s ING Georgia Marathon.

Tech returns to Flowery Branch on Saturday for its first practice in full pads. The session will not be open to the public.

Secondary familiar place for Earls

Playing defensive back is not new to Correy Earls. He was a two-way standout at Central High in Macon.

So after a season in which he made little impact at wide receiver, Earls approached Johnson and asked to move to cornerback.

“I just felt it would be better for the team, better for me,” said Earls, a speedy sophomore. “I figured I might be able to have more of an impact.”

Johnson agreed to the move, stressing that Earls had to “commit to it and go hard,” Earls recalled.

Earls started five games in 2008 but finished with only four catches for 41 yards. His role didn’t look like it was about to increase: Demaryius Thomas is the clear No. 1 receiver. Tyler Melton is healthy again, and incoming freshman Stephen Hill also will be in the mix with three or four others.

Earls said he’s working to “get the kinks out, get the rust off, get used to backpedaling again and the whole mind-set of defensive back.

“Right now I’m learning the play-calling, and doing the fundamentals,” added Earls, who made three interceptions as a high school senior. “Keeping your hips low, coming out of breaks, things like that. Just the basics.”

Dwyer misses practice

B-back Jonathan Dwyer, the ACC Player of the Year in 2008, tweaked his hamstring Wednesday and did not practice Friday. He’ll be held out until Monday.

“I kind of know what he can do,” Johnson said with a laugh.