Air Force notes: Injuries shake up offensive line

Air Force still has a few more weeks of practice before its first game, but through three weeks, the team has stayed relatively healthy.

The one position that has been hit by injuries is offensive line. Guard/center Jeffrey Benson and guard Jordan Eason have been out with knee injuries. Eason is a projected starter at left guard.

To make up for the injuries, Air Force moved right guard A.J. Wallerstein to left guard, and right tackle Kevin Whitt to right guard. That left a hole at right tackle with no experienced players to fill it.

Sophomores Jerry Henry and Alex Huskisson have split time at right tackle, and that rotation might continue into the season. Henry has been with the first team the past couple of days, including during Saturday’s scrimmage.

"I think they’re both showing we can count on them," offensive line coach Clay Hendrix said. “Right now the plan will be some kind of a rotation. Who will be the first guy, I don’t know, but they’ll both play.”

Benson, who can play left guard, could return to practice soon. Eason hasn't been ruled out for the season opener Sept. 3.  

Another injury that will affect Air Force is to safety Kevin Jablonsky, who is one of the Falcons’ best special teams players. He has a hand injury, and coach Troy Calhoun said he will be out “a while.” He will likely wear a cast when he comes back.

Open battles

There are three starting positions that still don’t have an obvious starter three weeks into training camp: Outside linebacker, cornerback and placekicker. At outside linebacker, Alex Means has worked most of camp with the starters, but Jamil Cooks did most of the first-team work Saturday. At cornerback, Steffon Batts has a small lead over Josh Hall and Chris Miller. And at kicker, Parker Herrington and Erik Soderberg are on equal footing. Those positions should be settled next week.

Scrimmage day

The Falcons hosted a few hundred fans for their scrimmage and Kids' Day event on Saturday. Although Falcons practices are open, this was likely the fans' last chance to see the team at Falcon Stadium before the season opener because next Saturday's scrimmage is closed to the public and media. Saturday’s practice had the most tackling of any workout in camp.

“I thought there was some really good contact, good bodies flying around, guys wanting to get involved with some collisions,” Calhoun said.