GEORGIA TECH REPORT: Nesbitt among those missing drills

Georgia Tech’s extra time off before its next game has already paid dividends.

After taking Monday and Tuesday off, the Jackets held several players out of practice Thursday but still held hope they’ll be ready to play next Thursday against Miami.

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt was among those sitting out practice, resting a sprained ankle. Backup Jaybo Shaw practiced with the starting unit in his place.

“Honestly, I don’t know [if Nesbitt will be ready],” coach Paul Johnson said. “But we’ve got a week to go, so I feel pretty sure he’ll be ready to go.”

Were Tech to play Saturday, as opposed to next week, it would be unlikely that Johnson would play Nesbitt or any player who hadn’t made the practice field by Thursday.

Right tackle David Brown (spinal injury), left guard Cord Howard (head), B-back Quincy Kelly (undisclosed non-football medical condition) and defensive tackle Vance Walker (ankle) also did not practice. Of those, Johnson has said that Brown will not play against the Hurricanes.

Cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels practiced but was limited to noncontact drills.

“They’re working hard to get back out there,” Johnson said. “It’s just a question of how fast they can get ready to play.”

Jefferson offers hope in the middle

Georgia Tech gave up 186 rushing yards to North Carolina, but one positive was the improvement shown by middle linebacker Brad Jefferson.

The sophomore started for the first time since the season opener, when he dislocated his left wrist. He shared the team lead with six tackles, five solo.

“He’s been so slow in coming around after the injury, but hopefully he’s progressing because we sure as heck need him in there … somebody physical,” defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said. “We didn’t play well as a defense, but he was a little bit of a bright spot.”

Jefferson started because Tech opened in its base 4-3 defense. When Tech played with two linebackers and five in the secondary, Kyle Jackson was the middle linebacker.

Wommack said Jefferson missed so much time that he hasn’t mastered the nickel package.

“Hopefully in a week or so he’ll be able to do it all because we need him to,” Wommack said. “He’s got that big, strong body and he runs pretty well.”

Jefferson (6 feet, 227 pounds) said he has finally knocked the rust off.

Last Saturday, he made one fewer tackle than he had in five previous games combined.

He still wears a soft cast, which affects his ability to shed blocks, but pronounced himself 95 to 100 percent.

“I’m not going to make any excuses,” he said. “It feels pretty good.”

Jackets make time to watch Miami

With Miami playing Virginia Tech on television Thursday night, Johnson lifted the mandatory study hall for players so they could watch the game.

“I’m just going to try to look at the [Miami] players and see what they do against Virginia Tech, because I know that [the Hokies] play a similar defense as us,” safety Dominique Reese said.