ASU Football: Wilkins a bystander at Tuesday practice

The Arizona State Sun Devils began preparation for their Saturday night matchup with the Washington State Cougars, hitting the Kajikawa Practice Fields on Tuesday. The team worked through tackling and team tempo drills in front of the media.

Manny Wilkins on the side at practice

After starting against the Colorado Buffaloes last week, Wilkins (high left-ankle sprain) was a bystander at today’s practice, sporting full pads, but wore athletic shoes instead of cleats.

During stretches, he stood behind the quarterbacks in line, but did not participate. Wilkins watched as the team worked through its drills.

DJ Calhoun in green, others on Muscle Beach

The junior linebacker sported a green non-contact jersey, however participated in drills. He also lined up with the first-team defense during a team tempo series.

Offensive lineman Sam Jones was wearing a boot over his right foot and was on Muscle Beach.

Safety J’Marcus Rhodes arrived late on a cart, however was a full participant. Cornerback Maurice Chandler sported a brace over his left ankle.

Junior linebacker Christian Sam worked on a stationary bike during drills on Muscle Beach. On Monday, head coach Todd Graham said he “thought that (Sam) would be back by now. It is kind of a strange deal, moving at turtles pace.”

Sam has been out since suffering a Week 1 ankle injury against Northern Arizona. Graham went on to say, “That has definitely hurt us. It hurts our depth. We will have to look at that and see where we can train some people.” The belief is that Sam’s situation is akin to Armand Perry’s last season, as he was held out for the rest of the season prior to earning a redshirt.

Kareem Orr, Armand Perry update

Orr and Perry both went through stretches but looked to be moving a little slower than normal. Orr donned a sleeve on his left leg while Perry did not have any visible braces or tape.

Perry moved to Muscle Beach during individual drills. Orr participated in tempo period.

Team Tempo Drills

First-Team Offense

Dillon Sterling-Cole (QB); Nick Ralston (RB); Ellis Jefferson (WR), Jalen Harvey (WR), Fred Gammage (slot), Tim White (slot); Evan Goodman (LT), Stephon McCray (LG), AJ McCollum (C), Quinn Bailey (RG), Zach Robertson (RT)

First-Team Defense

Koron Crump (Devil), Tashon Smallwood (3-tech), George Lea (nose), JoJo Wicker (end), DJ Calhoun (WILL), Salamo Fiso (SAM), Laiu Moeakiola (SPUR), Maurice Chandler (boundary corner), Gump Hayes (field corner), Marcus Ball (bandit safety), Chad Adams (field safety)

Possession Summary

• Sterling-Cole complete short Harvey
• Sterling-Cole incomplete short Harvey (Koron Crump pressure)
• Inside run Ralston
• Sterling-Cole complete short Gammage
• Inside run Ralston
• Sterling-Cole complete Gammage slant, TD

Second-Team

The second-team offense was directed by Jack Smith, who is listed as a wide receiver, but practiced as the third-string quarterback last week.

Smith threw an interception to defensive back James Johnson on a pass intended for receiver Ryan Jenkins, who was running a seam route on the first and only play of the second team’s possession.