Getting in pads for the first time in a while can be rough on a football team, and that was certainly the case this week for Alcorn State.

Several defensive starters went down to injury in the Braves’ first week in full pads during spring practice.

Defensive tackles Robert Brown and Prince Lewis, defensive back Dwayne Taylor and linebackers Lee Robinson and Carl Harris have all suffered injuries to varying degrees over the last week.

While the injury bug has come in full force this week, head coach Johnny Thomas said it has offered the team a chance to get other players involved.

“We’re doing pretty good, although we’re banged up,” Thomas said.

“You hate to see people injured, but it’s giving us a chance to look at other guys. They’re coming along pretty well overall.”

Robinson has a broken clavicle, and Harris may need surgery to repair his MCL.

And even with the myriad of injuries, Thomas said he felt the defense was showing the most potential thus far.

“On the defensive side of the ball I think we’re doing pretty good,” he said. “When you’re getting reps and you have some skills, you can’t do anything but improve.”

With two more weeks of practice to go before the Purple & Gold Game April 14, Thomas said the offensive and special teams are still working on finding the right people for the right spots.

“Our running backs are a marked improvement,” he said. “We have some competition at the quarterback position with (sophomore) Tim Buckley and (junior) Tony Hobson.

“We’ve got to find a punter. We don’t want to use Buckley this year. We’re going over fundamental things. That’s what most of our emphasis is on right now.”

With a 60-play scrimmage scheduled for Wednesday, Thomas said that was when he would truly see how the team is progressing.

“I’ll be able to say (who is stepping up) then,” he said.