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UNLV's Phillip Payne makes a catch over UNR's Joe Easter during the Rebels' game against the Wolf Pack at Sam Boyd Stadium.
UNLV freshman standout Phillip Payne on Wednesday was not in pads for the second straight day of practice out at Rebel Park.
The precaution came on the heels of the Rebels' third-leading receiver taking a helmet-to-helmet shot late in Saturday's 42-35 loss at BYU. His status for this Saturday's 5 p.m. contest against No. 12 TCU is unknown.
"He got beat up on that play and we're gonna make a gameday decision on whether he can play or not," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said.
Payne appeared fine when speaking with reporters following the game, and looked to be in good spirits while leaving the practice field Wednesday, but Sanford said it's still possible the Rebels' rising star may have suffered a concussion.
"There's a possibility of that, yeah," he said.
On the season, the Western High product has 27 catches for 415 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. Should he not be ready to go, the most likely replacements for him in the No. 3 receiver slot would be juniors Jerriman Robinson and Rodelin Anthony.
Payne's injury isn't the only one worth keeping an eye on as the date with the Horned Frogs approaches, though.
Sophomore linebacker Ronnie Paulo, the Rebels' second-leading tackler this season, missed the BYU game after suffering a serious ankle sprain the previous week against Air Force.
"Ronnie practiced today and I would say it's probable that he's gonna play," Sanford said.
While Paulo is probable, freshman safety Beau Orth is listed as questionable. He wasn't able to do much at practice on Wednesday. He missed the BYU contest also with an ankle injury.
I, for one, was quite surprised at the officials' lack of regard for player safety in the BYU game. There seemed to be little or no fear of being called for a roughing the passer or unnecessary roughness / illegal hit type personnel foul.
Yeah, Lou. Your opinion is certainly a popular one. There was one late hit/personal foul called on that hit on Omar by Pritchard, and that was it. There could have been two or three more, including the shot on Payne. The replay clearly showed Andrew Rich leading with his helmet. Playing without Payne this week would certainly not make things easier for the Rebels. He's been maybe the biggest reason that they're 25-of-26 in the red zone this year. If he's not catching a TD pass, he's playing the role of decoy and opening things up for others -- just ask Frank Summers.
If he can't go, expect Robinson to get his spot. He's played so well the last three to four games that he's certainly earned the spot should it become available.
I think Paulo playing is maybe bigger than any of those, though.