Yes, Coach Paul Chryst is downplaying the injuries at this point in training camp. Probably with good reason. Most of them are bangs and bruises where it seems there is erring on the side of caution. There are only a handful of serious or concerning injuries or holding players out of practices.

Among the injured players are four potential starters on defense, including safety Jason Hendricks, linebackers Todd Thomas and Shane Gordon, and defensive tackle K.K. Mosley-Smith. Cornerback Lafayette Pitts had a death in his family and was excused from practice. He was replaced by Cullen Christian. Also out is wide receiver Mike Shanahan (hamstring) and backup safety Steve Williams, who had his left arm in a sling.

K.K. Smith and LaQuentin Smith returned yesterday, so there is that.

Hendricks was already coming back from a season ending injury. His struggles to stay healthy, though, could cost him his starting safety position. Pitt has the depth at the spot and at some point he falls too far behind in practice.

Todd Thomas is much more of a concern since he has the potential to be Pitt’s best linebacker this season. Definitely the most athletic. Shane Gordon has not played since the scrimmage when he got knocked out cold. Haven’t seen an actual listing of the injury, but I think it would be safe to say he’s out with a concussion or “concussion-like symptons.”

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As much blame has been (deservedly) heaped upon Tino Sunseri, he was not helped by his wide receivers last year. Plenty of drops on their part, not great effort at points, clear lapses of concentration, and sloppy route running. They generally did little to help. Yes, they were no longer in a pro-style system, and it wasn’t playing to their strengths, and they had to learn a new system. Well, those excuses wore thin with Sunseri, so they should not be allowed to excuse their performance.

Devin Street particularly frustrated me. He seemed to continually not fight for passes if there was any chance the corner was going to be able to battle for the ball. In the second half of the season, he began to show more fight and desire. Showing flashes of the skill to match his natural size, strength and athleticism. Something he is hoping to take into this season.

Pitt will need Street to become that player this season, along with senior wide receivers Mike Shanahan and Cam Saddler. Young pass catchers such as redshirt junior Ed Tinker, redshirt sophomore Brendon Felder and sophomore Ronald Jones also will be in the mix before coaches settle on a rotation at the end of camp.

Street said the new offense under Chryst allows him to diversify his role, line up in the slot or split to the sideline, with several different routes in his playbook.

“Last year, I ran 10-15 routes,” he said, “but this year I can run anywhere.”

His standing as a redshirt junior all but demands more productivity.

“It’s crunch time,” he said “It’s time to turn it up.”

Street is a strider. His long legs allow him  to move swiftly, and pick up speed. But it is not explosive or sudden. And it definitely doesn’t corner well. It builds. Get him the ball heading north or south and he can turn it up. Have him going east or west, or come back for the ball and there aren’t going to be yards after the catch. He definitely will be in a position to have a huge year.

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