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Kyle Johnson couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.

BYU's junior offensive lineman, a right guard as a freshman and a left guard as a sophomore, was held out of all scrimmages and contact drills last week, causing some to wonder if the 21-game starter was injured more seriously than coaches were letting on.

He practiced (full contact) on Monday, and then talked about his condition after the morning practice.

"I'm fine," he said. "I mean, it is college football. A lot of things happen to us. It will be silly to think you will never be injured. I've been lucky up to this point. But I just got some little nagging things. I have been good. I am feeling great. I think [trainers] are being overly cautious about it.

I could have gone [Saturday]. I even asked them if I could."

Johnson was the starting center in the first scrimmage, which came as a shock to the 305-pounder from Jordan High.

"Never played there before," he said. "I think I had practiced it once at one practice during the spring. Coach [Garett] Tujague was nice enough to tell me I was starting at center the day before the scrimmage. Very kind of him. And so I just got in some snaps. Just went out there and did what I could."

Another player who was held out of Saturday's scrimmage, running back Algie Brown, also appeared in the interview room and talked about his health. He said he's fine, and that, as expected, coaches are holding him out because they know his abilities and can't afford to get him hurt after the withdrawal of premier back Jamaal Williams.

"I don't want to be the coach, but, I mean, I guess that is what they are doing," Brown said. "I feel like I am ready. Coach [Mark] Atuaia is helping us out a lot, getting everyone into the groove of things. We have some younger guys stepping up who will play some bigger roles."

One of those is freshman Francis Bernard, the returned missionary from Herriman High. He's making a case to be the starting "big back" in Robert Anae's offense, especially with fullback A'i Ho Ching a bit dinged up.

Brown is the assumed starter at the smaller back position, although he can play both and is more of a hybrid back.

On whether he's gotten more reps at big back or smaller back:

"Most of [his reps] ave been as a smaller back," Brown said. "I have done a little bit as the bigger guy, but I think they want me to be more of a smaller back this season, with Jamaal out."

Nate Carter and Adam Hine are also in the mix at smaller back.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall said Algie Brown not playing in the scrimmages reflects two things:

"It reflects confidence [in Brown], but also just a lack of experienced depth at that position, knowing that if he happened to be hurt, what that would do to the team overall. We are just trying to get enough work for [all]," he said.

Mendenhall said the energy level dipped a bit Monday as the team returned to practice after getting Sunday off.

"We have a lot of depth and maybe more athleticism than we have had at this point in camp. So, still a lot of work to do, but I am optimistic," he said. "BYU always has high expectations. I think every coach in the country is optimistic at the beginning. I would put us in that category."

Mendenhall said there were "subtle changes" to the depth chart after the scrimmage, but doesn't plan on releasing it to the public until next Monday.

He did say that Tanner Mangum is the No. 2 quarterback — no surprise there — and that Beau Hoge has edged in front of Koy Detmer Jr. for the No. 3 spot.

Offensive lineman Tuni Kanuch practiced Monday, including 11 on 11 contact stuff, but is still dealing with some lingering injuries.

"He is champing at the bit," Mendenhall said.

The coach said he has two scholarships available to award to walk ons this fall, and will probably do so at the end of the week, or early next week.

In my estimation, the leading candidates are WR Mitchell Juergens, WR Colby Pearson and RB Nate Carter. All three are incredibly deserving. I'd say freshman LB Scott Huntsman and sophomore LB Grant Jones are longshots at this point, although both will have roles on this year's team.

Speaking of Juergens, he wasn't on the field during the media viewing portion of practice on Monday. At the end of practice, nose tackle Travis Tuiloma had to be helped to the locker room.

The training staff reported through Brett Pyne that both players are fine. Tuiloma was suffering from dehydration; No word on Juergens' ailment, if there is any.

Mendenhall said he will likely hold another scrimmage on Wednesday, but hasn't decided yet whether it will be at the stadium or not.

"Not all players, not many of the starters, but many of the backups, trying to solidify special teams and existing competitions for backup spots," he said. "That will happen Wednesday, and then we will have everything set probably by Monday."