Recovering Pointer points to quick return to Rebels

With the football season opener around the corner, UNLV sophomore Quinton Pointer has had trouble sleeping.

"I was tossing and turning and waking up about 10 times a night," he said.

"It was a rough two weeks."

The reason for his sleep deprivation: A cast was strapped around his dislocated left elbow to keep his arm at a 90-degree angle.

Pointer is more comfortable now. The cast was removed Wednesday and replaced by a more flexible brace, allowing the 5-foot-9-inch cornerback to start running again.

"It felt kind of weird to move my arm," he said Thursday. "It's doing much better."

Pointer is feeling so good, he said he might be able to play in the Rebels' Aug. 30 opener against Utah State at Sam Boyd Stadium.

When he does return to the field, his impact should be obvious.

"I would say he is our best defensive back when he's healthy," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "He's the fastest guy on the team. He's a dynamic player. He makes a difference on our team when he plays."

Pointer, who will be the starter at right corner, has strong man coverage skills. He runs the 40 in just under 4.5 seconds. He also will return kickoffs when he's ready.

When he injured the elbow in practice Aug. 6, Pointer was told he would be out two to four weeks. If he can't play next week, he definitely plans to go Sept. 6 in the Mountain West Conference opener at Utah.

"I just want to be out there on the field," Pointer said. "I'm really pushing for the first game. That's my goal."

Sanford said he will monitor Pointer's progress and probably make a decision on his status by Wednesday.

Senior Geoffery Howard is the starter at left cornerback. The battle for Pointer's spot is between juniors Lorenzo Bursey and Ryan Tillman and redshirt freshman Will Chandler.

"We've got a whole competition thing going on there," Sanford said.

"I would like to have more depth in the secondary in general.

"Over the three years that I've been here, we've improved the depth of quality players in the defensive line, linebacker, offensive line, running back, receiver and quarterback.

"We haven't done it as well in the secondary."

Pointer, from Cape Coral, Fla., played in all 12 games and started eight as a freshman, making 50 tackles and two interceptions.

"I learned a lot. I think I'm a veteran in the game now," said Pointer, whose goals for the Rebels, 2-10 last season, are higher than most.

"Everybody just has to expect and believe to win and to play great. I've got expectations way over .500. I always set high expectations, and I think our team can accomplish them."

• NOTE -- Starting defensive tackle Jacob Hales will miss two to four weeks with a dislocated left elbow. The senior from Las Vegas High School sustained the injury in Wednesday night's practice.