QB Nesbitt, LB Jefferson return to Tech’s practice

Josh Nesbitt and Brad Jefferson made their returns to the Georgia Tech practice field Tuesday.

Nesbitt returned after straining his right hamstring against Mississippi State on Sept. 20. Jefferson’s absence was longer; he dislocated his wrist against Jacksonville State in the Aug. 28 opener.

Said Jefferson, who was the starting middle linebacker entering the season: “I was real excited to be back out there with my brothers back on the field, having fun, just doing our thing.”

Nesbitt practiced with a little more reserve. He is not 100 percent, he said, and doesn’t know when he will be.

“I know what I can do, and [coaches] trust me to tell them what I can do,” Nesbitt said. “I’m not going to go out there and be half the person that I am. I think that would knock the team off track. So when I’m 100 percent, I will be back out there.”

Nesbitt’s return coincided with backup Jaybo Shaw being held out of contact drills as a precautionary measure. Shaw was “dinged” on his head against Duke, coach Paul Johnson said. It isn’t certain how this will affect Shaw’s potential to play Saturday against Division I-AA opponent Gardner-Webb.

Johnson hopes Nesbitt will be 100 percent by Saturday and can start. Johnson would like to have Nesbitt have some playing time before the Clemson game Oct. 18 if he is physically ready.

Jefferson, who shined in the spring and in practices leading up to the first game, said he felt a little “clumsy” working with the defense after the long layoff.

“I was kind of getting my reads wrong, that’s the biggest factor,” said Jefferson, who still wears a light cast that he’ll have wrapped for the game. He said he wants to play Saturday to re-acclimate himself.

“I don’t even have to play the whole game, just get the feel back,” he said.

Johnson said Jefferson will have to earn his playing time back, but expects him to do so.

Making repairs to the special teams

The Jackets will make personnel changes on special-teams units, as Johnson said special-teams play, besides the kickoff team, is “fairly atrocious.” Tech’s net punting average ranks 10th in the ACC. Punt return average is 11th. Kickoff return average is last.

Johnson said Tech spent six of its 10 practice periods Monday working on special teams.

“We haven’t done a very good job coaching it, in my opinion,” Johnson said. “We haven’t done a very good job of execution. Right now, I’d say it’s unacceptable.”

More injury news

A-back Embry Peeples is doubtful for Saturday with a sprained ankle. B-back Quincy Kelly, a backup to Jonathan Dwyer, has an undisclosed medical condition.

The shortage in the backfield may force Johnson to play freshman A-back Marcus Wright, whom coaches have been planning to redshirt. Johnson said Wright, a Parade magazine All-American from San Antonio, will have to show he knows the offense well enough in practice to merit playing time, however.

Wright would be the seventh true freshman in the 21-member class to play this season. If he does play, Johnson might expect him to play about 15 or 20 snaps.