EUGENE — Oregon offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Steven Jones have returned to practice, linebacker Kaulana Apelu and defensive end Jalen Jelks are nearing full strength and running back Tony Brooks-James might be a game-time decision for the Redbox Bowl.
Ducks coach Mario Cristobal said Sewell, who missed the second half of the season with a high ankle sprain, and Jones, who missed the last two games with a concussion, have been with the team during its first three practices for bowl game against Michigan State. Apelu (leg fracture) and Jelks (undisclosed) are both expected to play in what will be their last college games on Dec. 31 (Noon PT, FOX) in Santa Clara, Calif.
“It’s good to see a couple guys back healthy and running around, guys like Steven Jones, guys like Penei Sewell,” Cristobal said after Oregon’s Sunday practice. "Lana is getting closer and closer to playing. Jalen Jelks looked like he’s getting really close to playing as well. (Monday) we’re going to take off the pads and make it more of a fast-Friday type of thing for us before we give them a day (off).”
The return of Sewell moves Calvin Throckmorton back to right tackle and bumps Brady Aiello to the second-team along with Jones.
Oregon’s linebacker corps rotation will revert to earlier in the season with the return of Apelu, who has 58 tackles with five for loss including two sacks and four pass breakups, and Isaac Slade-Matautia in the middle, which will alter the reps for Sampson Niu and Keith Simms.
Jelks, a first-team All-Pac-12 honoree by the league’s coaches, leads defensive linemen in the conference with 54 tackles with 7.5 for loss including 3.5 sacks. He is headed to the Senior Bowl next month and will likely be the first Oregon player selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, as long as Justin Herbert returns for his senior season.
“It means they’re made of the right stuff, in my opinion," Cristobal said of Jelks and other seniors deciding to play rather than forego the bowl game. "I think also it’s a recognition that some guys are in situations where good play in a game like this, that’s going to be scouted heavily, could help them and their status in the draft as well. Part of that is, again, a personal and a business decision. Most of them would all agree this makes good sense.”
Brooks-James, who suffered a left knee injury while returning a kickoff during the Civil War, is further behind. Cristobal said Oregon is “taking it a little bit slower" with Brooks-James, who has “a more significant injury” that while not long-term in nature, could be difficult for the senior to play in the bowl game.
“In terms of the game itself, it will probably be pretty tight,” Cristobal said. "It will be pretty close to whether he can play or not.”
Freshman linebacker Andrew Johnson, who hasn’t played this season, has still yet to be a full participant in practice but is expected to play in the bowl game.
“We’re still a little bit cautious about letting him go full tilt," Cristobal said. “I guess I’ll have a better feel for him by the end of the week, but he has participated in half-line run drills, which is as close as you can get to the real stuff.”