Tuesday practice updates

Dodge talked today about losing DaWaylon Cook to an ACL. A rundown of today's topics:

_ He didn't know until Monday that Cook was done. The safety was re-examined late Sunday, at which time the torn ACL was discovered. As of this evening, Dodge remains uncertain what caused the injury, other than the usual hard contact.

_ John Shorter has become quite the valuable commodity since UNT brought him back from a university-imposed suspension last spring. He'll start at Cook's safety spot. Brad Graham has moved from LB to S, and Robbie Gordon is at CB now for depth.Ryan Downing will continue to back up Ira Smith at the other S spot.

_ TE/U-back Micah Mosley is expected back as early as Oct. 9 from a leg injury suffered during UNT's second fall scrimmage. LB Daniel Prior is now working at U-back to add depth there.

_ WR Jamaal Jackson sat out today's practice with a shoulder sprain (he played the entire Rice game anyway) but said he's expected to return to practice Wednesday.

_ While practicing his punting Tuesday, current starting kicker Trent Deans came down awkwardly on his plant leg, and his ankle swelled up. If that's not under control by Saturday, Zach Olen, Jose Serrano or both will handle UNT's very-dicey kicking job. Regular punter Will Atterberry will handle kickoffs again, and Dodge said he's confident Atterberry will keep it inbounds this time.

_ Center J.J. Johnson will not have surgery on Thursday to repair a ruptured foot ligament, as per the original plan. Dodge said Johnson might actually be back by late this season if a rehab program goes well.