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Arizona football notes: QB Bryson Beirne out with sprained knee

Bryson Beirne is hoping rehab and a knee brace will do the trick. Photo by Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic

We all knew that an injury to quarterback Nick Foles could wreck plans to redshirt Matt Scott.

But how about an injury to backup quarterback Bryson Beirne?

Beirne, a fifth-year senior, has been slated to slide in to the second-string role this season, able to handle spot duty and handle mop-up time. His capable presence made it easier for the coaches to consider holding back Scott, a senior, for the 2012 season.

But Beirne has suffered what coach Mike Stoops on Monday night called a sprained ACL.

When will Beirne be back? Will Beirne be back? It’s a wait-and-see situation.

“We’re going to treat it and see what he can do, try to rehabilitate him,” Stoops said. “At this point, we don’t want to operate. …

“Some people can stabilize their knee with a brace, and we’re going to try that, see if that works for him. We’ve got to rehab for a while and, hopefully, get him back here in a week and see what he can do.”

If Beirne can’t make a go of it, then Scott moves closer to playing time if Foles does down with an injury for a significant length of time. The only other option would be true freshman Daxx Garman.

Beirne suffered the injury in Saturday’s scrimmage at Fort Huachuca.

Lineup watch

Neither Alex Zendejas nor Jaimie Salazar has separated himself from the other in the battle to be the starting placekicker, Stoops said.

“We’re still inconsistent. Good at times, bad at times. We’ve got to be more consistent as a group,” Stoops said.

At the end of Monday evening’s practice, Zendejas was wide left from on a 29-yard attempt. Salazar was good from 29 yards.

Noteworthy

Scott, who participated in Monday’s morning practice, was absent for the evening practice because of strep throat, Stoops said. … One of the big plays in the evening practice (which was held with the players in half pads) came on after a fake reverse to Juron Criner. Foles then delivered a deep ball over the middle to David Douglas, who hauled it in over his shoulder for a 55-yard touchdown. … DB Mark Watley later intercepted a deep throw by Garman. … Criner is listed as the No. 2 senior prospect on offense in the Pac-12 by Wes Bunting of the National Football Post. Wrote Bunting: “He’s a talent, there is no doubt about that. However, the key in determining his draft stock if where he’s at mentally. If healthy he can be a legit starting wide out on the outside early in his NFL career.” Foles is rated No. 5 on this list of top Pac-12 senior prospects on offense.

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