Grissom slowed by foot injury; receivers work on getting a grip

Posted Aug 17, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Aug 17, 2010 at 09:39 PM

VERO BEACH – Sophomore DT Cory Grissom, who started three games as a redshirt freshman last season, did not practice Tuesday.

Grissom wore a protective boot on his left foot after suffering what USF coach Skip Holtz called a “sprained foot.’’

“They put him in the boot to really quiet [the injury] down,’’ Holtz said. “It’s a sprain, a tendon. They expect him to be fine. He’s out for a couple of days.’’

TOO MANY DROPS: Following Tuesday’s practice, the quarterbacks and receivers stayed on the field to work on the passing game.

“We’ve got to become more productive,’’ Holtz said. “We’re dropping way too many passes.’’

Senior WR Dontavia Bogan said that after 13 consecutive days of practice, the receivers are battling through the mental and physical fatigue to stay sharp.

“There are still things we have to work on,’’ Bogan said. “It’s a struggle. Your legs are tired, your body is worn out, you lose focus. That’s what we can’t let happen. There will be times when drop a pass and you’re down on yourself.’’

BARRINGTON UPDATE: Sophomore LB Sam Barrington did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. Barrington, listed first on the depth chart at MLB entering camp, has fallen behind Michael Lanaris due to a lingering left shoulder injury from the spring.

Barrington also recently suffered a “tweak’’ in his right shoulder, which kept him out of Saturday’s scrimmage.

“Coach Snyder came to me right before the scrimmage and said, ‘I think we should hold him [out]. I don’t think he’s 100 percent.’ That was more our decision that it was Sam’s decision. We’ll just see how he turns and responds to everything.’’

BULL BITS: Holtz has his latest depth chart finalized and expects to release it Wednesday … Starting C Sampson Genus sat out Tuesday’s practice with a strained lower-body muscle … USF is down to two practices left in Vero: 3:30 to 6 p.m. today, and 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Scott Carter