Last-minute jolt for Rebels: Estandia hurt as camp ends

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 | 10:09 a.m.

UNLV's football team breaks fall camp tonight after a closed scrimmage.

Head coach John Robinson probably wishes it ended one day and one play sooner.

Senior tight end Greg Estandia, one of the offensive stars of camp who is expected to play a key role in the Rebels' offense this fall, suffered what was called a sprained knee on the final play of Thursday night's practice.

Estandia, a 6-foot-8, 255-pounder, crumpled to the ground after getting hit on the side of his left knee during a drill. After lying on the ground for about five minutes, he got up and walked off the field under his own power to the training room, where the injury was immediately iced.

About an hour later, a visibly upset Estandia slowly walked out of the training room.

"That's football," Estandia said. "Somebody came in from the side and hit me on the side of my knee. I've never hurt my knee before. We're just going to do everything possible and hopefully everything will be fine.

"Hopefully it's nothing."

The big test will be if -- and how much -- Estandia's knee swells up today.

"I guess (the trainers) are fairly optimistic," Estandia said. "We're just going to take every precaution possible and hopefully everything will be fine."

Trainer Kyle Wilson said: "It's a knee sprain for right now. We're going to just take it day-to-day and see what it looks like in the morning. We're just hoping for no swelling. ... It's a good sign whenever you can get up and walk off under your own power."

Junior Michael Fruend, a former fullback who has also played well in camp, is Estandia's backup.

Senior Kurt Nantkes, who entered fall camp co-No. 1 on the depth chart with rapidly improving sophomore Shane Steichen despite starting 10 games last season, appears to be getting more reps with the first-team offense this week and will be the likely starter against the Vols.

Junior Terry Furlow appears to have the edge at the other starting wide receiver spot opposite all-MWC pick Earvin Johnson while sophomore Earnest Gordon looks like the probable starter at corner along with senior Ruschard Dodd-Masters.

Times for the Rebels' four remaining home games have not been officially set because of possible TV airings.

Prices are $15 per person, $10 for UNLV faculty and staff as well as members of the UNLV Alumni Association.

Luncheons will be each Monday at noon during the season, except Oct. 25 when the Rebels have a bye week, and after the Tennessee game -- because of travel, that luncheon will be Tuesday, Sept. 7.