QB Hinds’ injury status remains mystery to Sanford, Rebels

ELY -- UNLV football coach Mike Sanford will not make any more predictions regarding quarterback Rocky Hinds' right knee, which has not regained full strength since surgery in January.

Sanford had hoped to learn more about Hinds' status Monday, but there was another delay -- as has been the case since the junior left camp Aug. 12 for Southern California.

The expected conference call to discuss when Hinds might return did not take place, and Sanford said he hopes to speak today with Dr. Clarence Shields of the prestigious Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Sanford even plans to take his cell phone to this morning's practice, which he rarely does.

But Sanford isn't certain his phone will ring.

"(Shields has) canceled appointments twice because of emergency surgery," he said.

Possibly complicating matters, the team returns to Las Vegas this afternoon, and cellular reception is spotty for much of the four-hour drive.

The Rebels have shown signs of moving on without Hinds. They have responded noticeably to vocal leadership by redshirt freshman quarterback Travis Dixon as he prepares to start the Aug. 30 opener at Utah State.

"I'd say the team has definitely rallied around him, and we definitely look to him as a leader, and we just want to go win games," junior wide receiver Casey Flair said. "We're a team now that knows we need to win games, and we're going to play with the people who are here now. There are no hard feelings, but our first game is nine days away."

Flair said Hinds would be welcome back on the team.

"Who the quarterback is, it can't affect the receiver corps and it can't affect the (offensive) line," Flair said. "We all have our own battles. We can't worry about it."

Hinds could have returned to camp late last week to support his teammates in Saturday's scrimmage after taking his strength test, but Sanford said Hinds' family wanted to get all the information before making any decisions.

Many of Hinds' teammates, though, have stayed through injuries and aches and pains.

"When you're dealing with an injury and you're dealing with a family situation, I don't want to jump in the middle of that," Sanford said. "I'm hoping for the best. I'm hoping his knee is healthy and he's able to rejoin the team at some point."

• NOTES -- Junior defensive end Luke Plante sprained his left knee and returned to Las Vegas for an MRI and further examination. ... Junior tailback David Peeples, a Cheyenne High graduate, practiced in pads for the first time this preseason. Peeples, who was held out of a team drill, was out with a stress fracture in his left foot. ... Sophomore linebacker Jimmy Miller (hip flexor) should be back soon. ... Two-a-days end Monday.