Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004 | 9 a.m.
UNLV has practiced in full gear for only two days but the Rebels already might have lost a key starter to an injury.
Senior Tyler Crandal, who started the final nine games of the 2003 season at right offensive tackle, will undergo tests for a bulging disc in his back that has forced him to sit out fall practice drills.
"We're evaluating Tyler," coach John Robinson said after practice at Rebel Park on Tuesday night. "He may ultimately have to undergo surgery which would sideline him for the season."
Sophomore Marco Guerra, the expected starter at left tackle, has also been out of action the last couple of days with a nagging hamstring injury. Mike McKiski, a redshirt freshman walk-on from Coronado High School, spent much of Tuesday's practice with the first unit.
Another key player battling back problems in recent days is highly touted running back JaJa Riley, a transfer from Ohio State who also sat out Tuesday's practice and appeared to be in pain while walking into the trainer's room.
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