Johnson scales back Tech’s practices

With 20 practices, two scrimmages and thousands of plays in the books, Georgia Tech goes into dial-back mode now. Make that dial back, wait and perhaps cross fingers mode.

Even before Saturday’s final open scrimmage in Bobby Dodd Stadium, the Yellow Jackets had traded gold and white for black and blue as injuries mounted. Their ranks thinned more in the scrimmage when reserve quarterback Bryce Dykes (shoulder) and starting right tackle David Brown (lower leg) left. Coach Paul Johnson said X-rays revealed no fractures for Dykes and Brown, but ligament damage on Brown might not be ruled out before Monday, said Tech spokesman Dean Buchan.

After a day off Sunday, Monday will begin Tech’s official taper before the Aug. 28 season opener against Jacksonville State. Johnson has already begun scaling back work anyway, canceling Friday afternoon’s practice and shrinking Saturday’s scrimmage to 90 minutes.

“We’ve got a lot of guys banged up, and we’re running short of numbers,” Johnson said. “We’re to the point where I know what they can do, so we just got to get ready to play.

“The practice [plan] will change [Monday], but the pace won’t change. There will be contact. We won’t take the backs to the ground most of the time.”

Brown’s injury left Tech without starting tackles as senior Andrew Gardner (stinger/shoulder) missed his third straight day. That left redshirt freshman Nick Claytor at left tackle, and converted A-back and former tight end Austin Barrick on the right.

Several other players were held out, too, as evidence has mounted that the Jackets have hit, cut-blocked and tackled more in practice than many teams.

With starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt out, freshman Jaybo Shaw, the presumptive backup, worked the first offense fairly effectively if not brilliantly. Dykes — No. 3 on the depth chart — left early, and reserve Calvin Booker completed 8 of 12 passes for 88 yards.

His reps had dwindled significantly, but Booker’s stock may rise. Perhaps the senior will emerge as a change-of-pace, pass-oriented signal caller.

“I feel good about Jaybo [who completed 3 of 6 for 45 yards and a touchdown and rushed seven times for 29 yards],” Johnson said. “Bryce can go in and do some things, and I think we can do some things with Book. It was good that he got some reps today to see how we play with him. It’s a little different offense with Book.

“His package wouldn’t be the same as Josh’s and Jaybo’s, obviously, because he’s a different guy.”

Shaw did not overwhelm, yet his body of work suggests that he’ll be the No. 2 quarterback. His peak Saturday came when he stepped up to avoid a rush, and threw down the left sideline for a touchdown to freshman Tyler Melton as cornerback Michael Peterson covered tightly.

“He’s extremely aware of what’s around him, and he’s able to pick up the offense really fast,” Melton said of Shaw. “He’s a very precise guy, and he studies the game.”