UTEP doesn't have a serious injury on the defensive line, but the minor "camp injuries," as coach Sean Kugler terms them, have hit critical mass. At Wednesday's practice, the Miners were down to seven healthy linemen, which would have been an even bigger problem if the team was still in a 4-3 instead of the new 3-4.
Brian Madunezim, who has battled altitude sickness the past 10 days, looks closest to returning as he was in full pads jogging laps around the field. Foster Dixon, who was a backup end Tuesday, was riding a stationary bike.
Backup nose tackle Sky Logan was working with the strength and conditioning staff, as was the player right behind him on the depth chart, Tiano Tialavea.