Billie's Ankle Latest Injury For Tigers

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Wed Aug 16 19:52:43 GMT-04:00 2006

CLEMSON - Tremaine Billie's impressive fall camp came to at least a temporary halt Wednesday evening when the senior outside linebacker was carted off the field with a sprained ankle.

The extent of the injury, which happened on the final play of Wednesday's second Clemson practice, wasn't immediately known.

"It just happened, so it's too early to tell," said CU Sports Information Director Tim Bourret. "We'll know more about it (Thursday)."

Billie's injury is the latest in a series of minor - so far - bumps and bruises suffered by a number of Tigers.

Starting tight end Thomas Hunter was out for the second straight day with a hamstring injury, while backup center Bobby Hutchinson was held out because of pain from a wisdom tooth. Jamarcus Grant (broken foot) remains sidelined and likely won't return until after the first game of the season.

On the flip side, Brandon Pilgrim was in a green jersey (limited work) Wednesday and should be cleared to return to practice soon.

Meanwhile, head coach Tommy Bowden said that while the latest personnel meetings showed no significant movement on the depth chart, one of the best battles of the fall continues to be between Rendrick Taylor and Aaron Kelly for a starting wide receiver spot.

"That's in a three wideout set," Bowden said. "You've got (Chansi) Stuckey and (Tyler) Grisham on one side, the question now is who will be on that back side. Rendrick and Aaron are going at it pretty good."

In other news from Thursday:

- Bowden said troubled tight end Paul Muse has been dismissed from the team for "violation of team policy." He refused further comment on the matter, except to say that Muse was given a full release, meaning he can transfer to any Division I-A school and only have to sit out one season;

- Jimmy Maners has forced his way into the punting competition by quickening his approach.

Always gifted with a strong leg, now Maners is getting his kicks off in the 1.9-2.1 second range that Bowden wants. A year ago Maners, a walk-on, was at 2.2 or better for much of the season.