University of South Florida junior WR Colby Erskin’s return from a second torn ACL suffered a setback Monday when he was held out of practice by USF coach Jim Leavitt for precautionary measures.

Two weeks ago Erskin said he wanted to return to full contact drills on Monday with hopes of playing two weeks later against Kansas on Sept. 12. However, Leavitt pulled him from Monday’s drills.

“We’re real nervous about him,” Leavitt said.

Erskin likely will be held out of contact drills another two to three weeks, pushing back his return to at least mid-season.

Erskin, who had been clocked in a sub 4.3 before his knee problems, won the starting job entering last season before tearing his ACL. He injured the knee a second time last spring, but targeted the Kansas game for his return.

FRESHMAN IS AWOL: Freshman LB Quavon Taylor, who returned home to Miami for personal reasons before the start of fall practice three weeks ago, missed a team meeting and practice Monday and Leavitt said he has no idea of his whereabouts.

“I haven’t seen him either,” Leavitt said. “[It’s a] mystery. There is concern. We have to find him and hopefully he’s all right. We don’t know where he’s at, but we’ll find out.”

CLEARED: Freshmen LB LaDre Watkins, of Wharton, and CB John Lejiste were approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse, leaving only three players who haven’t been cleared academically – junior CB Theo Wilson, TE Andreas Shields, of Wharton, and CB George Baker.

ODDS AND ENDS: Watkins, WR Daniel Bryant, OL Danous Estenor and QB B.J. Daniels are four incoming freshman that Leavitt said he expects to play Saturday. … Season ticket sales have surpassed 27,000, USF assistant AD Chris Freet said. Also, Monday the school sold more than 500 $5 tickets to Saturday’s game as part of a Tampa Tribune/TBO.com promotion. … WR Jason Sherman (foot) is doubtful for Saturday. … Former USF DL Richard Clebert (with a freshly cropped haircut), Ks Bill and Santiago Gramatica and RB Clenton Crossley attended Monday’s practice.