We just got to watch an extremely limited portion of practice (seriously, it was stretching and some special teams work), but came away with a few observations nonetheless.

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And away we go ...

• Cornerback Neiko Thorpe, running back Ben Tate, wideout Terrell Zachery and right guard Byron Isom were on the sidelines doing conditioning work while the Tigers worked in pads tonight. Tate appeared to have a wrap on his left knee, although it didn't appear to be anything too serious. Didn't see anything else obvious about the other players.

• Freshman linebacker Jonathan Evans and junior wide receiver John Cubelic were also new to the non-participant list.

• LB Eltoro Freeman was in shells but didn't appear to be doing much of anything when we were out there. He's dealing with a hamstring issue, according to Chizik. It should be noted that this is more than he was doing last time we saw him, when he worked with Yox on Muscle Beach.
  

• With Isom not on the field at the start of practice, freshman John Sullen worked in his place at right guard. That might not be set in stone, but it's notable that Sullen would be the one out of an inexperienced group of backups to work with the first unit.

• Philip Pierre-Louis is listed as No. 42 on the roster. We didn't see a 42 out there, but there was a No. 6 in a blue, offensive jersey that looked about his size. It didn't have a name on the back.

• Dr. James Andrews made a visit to tonight's practice.

• Wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor knocked a ball loose from freshman running back Dontae Aycock during stretching drills. The quarterbacks, running backs and a few wide receivers work on ball security as they run laterally with their knees coming up to their chests. Taylor knocked the ball out from behind and burst out in celebration that he got one, yelling, "Got to take care of that rock, baby."

• Small candid moment between defensive coordinator Ted Roof and freshman safety Daren Bates, who's been making strides in his first two weeks on campus. Roof came up to him and asked him what he was trying to focus on tonight. Bates seemed to struggle for an answer before Roof said simply, "Your feet and your eyes."