Rogers, White look to be the RBs Saturday

Still working on a confirmation, but going off pictures from Sunday's football practice at Kinnick Stadium it looks as though running back Brandon Wegher will be out for Saturday's 1 p.m. scrimmage. (EDIT: The injury isn't considered serious.)

The main running backs in Saturday's gallery were freshman Brad Rogers and Jason White, a walk-on sophomore who made the move from safety just before spring started. Wegher has been absent in galleries in the last week, with Rogers and White getting most of the work.

Wegher apparently has joined Adam Robinson (shoulder, out for spring) and Jewel Hampton (ACL, it's only spring, so why take a chance) on the sidelines.

And there is the doomsday scenario coach Kirk Ferentz talked about when spring practice opened. He was asked how the job would be sorted out with three starting-caliber RBs.

"Our first goal is to get more than two guys to the game," Ferentz said. "We've had a hard time doing that, unfortunately. It's a real luxury item when we have three backs, so if we can get to that point, that'd be great.

"The only thing I know is competition is great at any position, and that is one position where we will have good, healthy competition, if things pan out. We'll see what happens. But hopefully it's going to be a good situation for us."

It's April, so no biggie.

Ferentz was also asked what if all the running backs show up healthy next fall?

"I hope that happens. Then I might smile," he said with a laugh. "That would be good. Let's put it all context, too.

"Shonn Greene put up 1,800 yards and there aren't that many that do that in a year. Let's make sure we don't compare them with Shonn. They're good prospects and good players, but sometimes we get carried away a little bit."

Wegher also caught 13 passes last season, prompting a question about multiple uses for the 5-11, 200-pounder.

"The good thing about him is his toughness, last year (that) caught me by surprise," Ferentz said. "I don't mean that in a negative way.

"As (defensive coordinator) Norm (Parker) says, a year ago he was riding in a yellow school bus. That's usually an adjustment, but when he took a shot against Arizona off the screen pass, I thought that guy knocked him into next month. He came off the field with an attitude, 'why did you take me out?' That was a good sign and he played that way all season long.

"I thought he looked a little more veteran than you'd expect. I guess what I'm getting to is that he isn't the biggest guy in the world, but he'll run the ball inside and he isn't timid. He has some things that he can do in the passing game and all. I hope we can expand his role in the next year or so and see how it works."

Rogers took a redshirt last season. He was at the very least an emergency option when he dressed and traveled to Michigan State, but the redshirt stayed on. White made some waves on special teams last season. Allowing him to move to RB must mean coaches feel good about safety depth.