THE SCOOP
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel attended Monday’s practice with his arm in a sling and is considered “hopeful,” the lexicon of coach Kevin Sumlin, for Saturday against Vanderbilt at Kyle Field.
Manziel’s right shoulder was ground into the ground on a tackle at the end of a run in the fourth quarter of last week’s 45-41 loss to Auburn.
CBSsports.com reported Tuesday that Manziel would be “fine” to play Saturday, according to an unidentified source.
“Our practice rotation changes a little bit depending on what Johnny can or can’t do as far as practice goes,” Sumlin said.
It would appear that Patton Robinette will start instead of Austyn Carta-Samuels for Vanderbilt. Carta-Samuels injured a leg against Georgia.
But the Kyle Field crowd may not bother Robinette, coach James Franklin said.
Robinette would use the silent count to run the offense, and Franklin said they’ve worked on it since August.
“It has no effect on the quarterback,” Franklin said. “It’s how everybody else operates.”
READY RESERVE
The past two weeks have prepared Landon Collins for expanding opportunities at Alabama.
Collins spent the past two games out of position filling in at free safety for suspended Crimson Tide star HaHa Clinton-Dix. Now, Clinton-Dix is back, but the Tide need someone to replace strong safety Vinnie Sunseri, who was lost for the season with a torn knee ligament. Collins is the choice.
“(The last two weeks have) prepared me well,” Collins said. “Got me to settle down, got me to see how fast games really are, see that once you slow down and catch your breath and look at the formations, you’ll be all right.”
On the season, Collins is third on the team with 28 total tackles, including a tackle for loss. He also has five pass deflections and two quarterback hurries.
Last week, when asked about Collins’ move to safety, Sunseri spoke highly of Collins.
“He does exactly what coach Saban tells him to do,” Sunseri said.
TEAMMATES
Five sets of players who attended the same high schools will face off when Vanderbilt meets Texas A&M:
- Karl Butler (Sr., LB) and Texas A&M's Julien Obioha (So., DE) were standouts at Brother Martin in New Orleans.
- Steven Clarke (Sr., CB) and Texas A&M's Shaun Ward (Jr., LB) were defensive classmates at Boyd Anderson near Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Andre Hal (Sr., CB) played at Port Allen (La.) near Baton Rouge. The school also produced Texas A&M's Darian Claiborne (Fr., LB).
- Latevius Rayford (Fr., WR) and Texas A&M's Cameron Clear (Jr., TE) were teammates at Central in Memphis, Tenn.
- Chase White (R-Jr., OL) attended Plano (Texas) West HS. The school also produced A&M's Justin Bass (Jr., LB).
INJURIES
Florida has lost an eighth player to a season-ending injury. Coach Will Muschamp says backup linebacker Jeremi Powell, a freshman from Largo, Fla., tore the ACL in his left knee Saturday at Missouri and will have season-ending surgery. He injured it trying to block a punt.
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