The ASU Sun Devils have been rocked with injuries on the defensive side of the ball since the offseason began. From cornerback Omar Bolden and linebacker Brandon Magee to (most recently) defensive end Junior Onyeali, several Sun Devil defenders have suffered several very serious- and some season-ending- injuries.
In the midst of all of this, ASU received some good news on Tuesday. According to Sports 620 KTAR's Craig Grialou, safety Eddie Elder returned to Sun Devil practice today. The senior suffered a concussion during ASU's match-up against Illinois this past weekend and his status for Saturday's game against USC remained unknown through Monday. Elder has erased all of those doubts though with his return to the field on Tuesday.
Grialou also reported that, according to Coach Dennis Erickson, wide receiver J.J. Holliday could have played in last week's game. The speedy sophomore broke his collarbone a few weeks ago and could contribute significantly to ASU's pass attack upon his return.
Erickson also stated that running back Deantre Lewis is "getting better all the time." The sophomore, who suffered a gun shot in February, should take the field in the next few weeks (at the latest) to complement running back Cameron Marshall.
ASU will need to avoid injuries as it navigates this next, crucial segment of the schedule that features games against No. 23 USC and No. 10 Oregon.