Defensive end Gilbert 'working his way back'

This was supposed to be his defensive line.

This was supposed to be his defense.

Five days into training camp, that was all temporarily scratched.

The senior defensive end from Laveen sprained a ligament in his foot, which forced him to miss most of camp. Instead of serving as the leader of the line, the way Tevin Hood and Sione Tuihalamaka did last year, Gilbert rode an exercise bike on the sideline, his foot in a walking boot.

The man who didn’t miss a game last year and had 34 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss and four sacks, was in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position.

“I can’t even tell you; it just killed me,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert now realizes the injury could have been much worse. The senior missed the first game against UNLV but returned last week against UTSA.

He started and played the majority of the game. Gilbert recorded five tackles and a sack in his senior season debut.

“He’s one of our better pass rushers, and he’s an experienced guy that recognizes things pretty quickly,” coach Rich Rodriguez said of Gilbert. “He’s still working his way back in the groove.”

Rodriguez and defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich are hopeful Gilbert will help ignite a line that has been underwhelming through two games. Gilbert has the only sack of any lineman and the other main contributors up front — Dan Pettinato, Jeff Worthy and Jordan Allen — have combined for just five tackles, none of which has come behind the line of scrimmage.

“We still have to find some ways to create more pressure,” Rodriguez said.

The Wildcats have tried different things to get creative in bringing the pass rush, including blitzes with middle linebacker Scooby Wright. But the front three have to be able to make the quarterback uncomfortable.

Gilbert should help with that, even though he’s still not 100 percent.

“I’m definitely getting there,” Gilbert said. “Every day there is some progress. I’m definitely confident.”

He said he’s not thinking about it during the games.

“Game time is game time,” Gilbert said. “I’m going to try my best not to think about it when it comes to the games. Whatever my team needs me to do, I’m going to do.”

Woods stays on defense

Gilbert may not be the only one to give the defensive line a jolt this weekend.

Freshman Trevor Wood continued his transition to defensive end this week in practice. He worked exclusively on defense, and didn’t get any reps on offense.

Rodriguez thought the UA might use him last week against UTSA, but it never happened.

It’s more likely Wood sees time this week.

“Every week he should get a little better at it,” Rodriguez said. “That will be two full weeks at it now. I’ll have to talk to the defensive staff and see where he’s at in the rotation.”

Wood was supposed to be a two-way starter for Scottsdale Chaparral High School his senior year but was limited to mostly offense because he tore his labrum before the season.

He still played some defensive end in the playoffs but was mostly at tight end.

“The defense isn’t as complicated as the offense, but it’s still learning something new and quickly,” Wood said. “When you get in there, you’re not a freshman who hasn’t learned the defense; you’re just in there. It’s just how it is.”

Wood said he was open to the move when Rodriguez brought it up following the UNLV win. He still thinks he could play both ways this year, but the coaches want him just on defense right now so he can learn the playbook fully.

Injury updates

The UA released its injury report Thursday, and the most notable name on it was Jeff Worthy. The nose guard was listed as questionable with a concussion.

The Wildcats are dangerously thin at that position. If Worthy can’t play, walk-on redshirt freshman Parker Zellers would likely get significantly more reps. The UA could also move Aiulua Fanene to that spot. Fanene has played mostly end the first two games but has a big enough body to tie up blockers in the middle.

Running back Terris Jones-

Grigsby was also listed as questionable with an ankle injury. He missed last week’s game because of the setback. If he doesn’t play, expect Nick Wilson to get the majority of the work as he did against UTSA.

Guard Jacob Alsadek will miss his second straight game with a foot injury. Cornerback Johnny Jackson is also out with a back injury.

Receiver DaVonte’ Neal, who didn’t play last week, is probable this week.

Rodriguez said he does expect to have the services of sophomore cornerback Devin Holiday.

The San Diego product played in all 13 games last season, primarily as the nickel corner, but hasn’t played in either of the first two games. He missed most of training camp with a back injury.

“We’re trying to get more corners in the rotation, and we’re a little healthier with Devin back,” Rodriguez said.

The coach also said he’s hoping to have nose guard Sani Fuimaono back in the next couple of weeks. Fuimaono broke his foot.